The DemocracyXChange (DXC), Canada’s annual democracy summit returns to Toronto from April 3 to 5, 2025 for its sixth year, with a special presentation by New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed Yale historian Timothy Snyder on April 4, 2025.
The eight-time author and Richard C. Levin Professor of History at Yale University discusses his book, On Freedom, as part of the Salon Series, co-hosted by the Toronto Public Library and DXC25.
Drawing on the work of philosophers and political dissidents, conversations with contemporary thinkers, and his own experiences coming of age in a time of American exceptionalism, Snyder identifies the practices and attitudes – the habits of mind – that will allow us to design a government in which we and future generations can flourish.
“In his new book, On Freedom, Timothy Snyder critiques the libertarian notions of freedom and champions the idea of good government and its role in helping us achieve the freedom to live our lives as sovereign, mobile, truth-seeking citizens working in solidarity for a healthy pluralist democracy,” says OCAD University President and Vice-Chancellor Ana Serrano.
Co-presented by OCAD University, The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and Open Democracy Project, #DXC25 takes place on campus at OCAD U and Toronto Metropolitan University.
"Timothy Snyder's exploration of freedom could not be more timely. At a moment when democracy faces unprecedented challenges in Canada and around the world, his insights into the habits of mind and action required to safeguard democratic values provide a powerful framework for reflection and renewal,” says Chris Cowperthwaite, president of the Open Democracy Project.
The annual summit brings together hundreds from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors who are taking action to strengthen democracy and civil society.
DXC25 will profile new stories for today’s democracy’s leaders by highlighting the people and institutions that are shaping progress, implementing new ideas and employing winning narratives in their democracy work, every day. Through this lens, workshops, panel discussions and keynote speakers will examine urgent global issues such as integrity of information, inequality and trust in governance.
“Democracy is still under threat. It's up to us to confront the realities of how people appreciate -- or reject -- democracy today, and to tell a new story,” says Karim Bardeesy, executive director of the Dais at TMU. “I’m excited that we are bringing together the leaders and change-makers who are shaping those stories and practising democracy on the ground. Join us at DemocracyXChange 2025!"
Early bird tickets are on sale now for 50 per cent off.
Tickets for the free Snyder talk requires separate registration via Toronto Public Library. Registration opens in mid-February 2025 on TPL's Eventbrite page.
