Global Conversation: Can Culture Save Democracy?
Athens Democracy Forum 2026
30 September 2026
The Athens Democracy Forum is one of Europe’s leading gatherings on democratic renewal, organised by the Democracy & Culture Foundation in association with The New York Times. The forum brings together policymakers, journalists, academics, civic leaders, artists and cultural practitioners to explore how democracy can respond to contemporary social, political, technological and environmental challenges.
In conversation with The New York Times culture reporter Farah Nayeri at the historic Stoa of Attalos in September 2026, David Chipperfield was invited to address the relationship between culture and democracy. Reflecting on the growing pressures facing cities, he argued that architects have responsibilities beyond individual commissions and should engage more actively with the civic, economic and cultural forces that shape everyday urban life. The conversation explored the role of planning and public participation in democratic societies, the importance of preserving the human scale and identity of cities, and the need for architecture to support social equity and collective trust.
