The Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) participated in the Barcelona meetings held from 12 to 16 November 2025, joining Euro-Mediterranean partners to address rising authoritarianism, shrinking civic space, and the urgent need for collective action on justice and human rights. ARDD’s engagement in the Non-Violence Factory and the UNSILENCE Forum directly supports its mission to strengthen civic actors, advance democratic values, and strengthen international solidarity with Palestine.
During the Non-Violence Factory, ARDD joined activists and human rights defenders from across the Euro-Meditarrenean region to explore how prevailing narratives, social tensions, and environmental pressures are shaping new forms of authoritarianism and to identify non-violent strategies to confront them. The collaborative workshops and group reflections aligned with ARDD’s commitment to empowering grassroots leaders, supporting non-violent advocacy, and advancing localization. The exchange of experiences reinforced ARDD’s work on protecting civic space, building community resilience, and strengthening the role of youth and marginalized voices in public life.
At the UNSILENCE Forum, ARDD joined panels discussing militarization in Europe, disinformation, and new threats to democratic participation, key themes within ARDD’s regional policy and research agenda. The Forum’s strong focus on Palestine, including the launch of the ActXPalestine campaign, echoed ARDD’s long-standing advocacy for Palestinian rights and its leadership within regional and international solidarity platforms.
ARDD’s participation in the Barcelona meetings strengthened its partnerships across the Euro-Mediterranean region and supported its strategic priorities for 2025–2028, particularly its efforts to expand Euro-MENA collaboration, defend civic freedoms, and promote rights-based approaches to peace and development. These engagements reaffirm ARDD’s role as a regional actor dedicated to advancing social justice, protecting civic space, and upholding the rights and dignity of all peoples.
