LAHORE: The Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Central Punjab hosted the International Conference on Contemporary Challenges for Democracy (IC3D) 2025, drawing academics, diplomats, and policy experts from around the world. Over two days, participants engaged in discussions on pressing issues including populism, authoritarianism, human rights, and the role of media in democratic processes.
Prof. Dr. Khalid Manzoor Butt, the Chief Organizer and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, emphasized the necessity of scholarly dialogue on democracy. The inaugural session featured keynote addresses by Dr. Hasan Askari Rizvi, a political analyst, and His Excellency Per Albert Ilsaas, Norway’s Ambassador to Pakistan. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the event’s Chief Guest, offered insights into global democratic trends and Pakistan’s political landscape.
The conference’s first day focused on “Populism: A Challenge to Democracy?” with experts such as Dr. Bilveer Singh and Dr. Xiaoqing Xie examining the implications of populism on democratic institutions. Concurrent sessions explored themes like “Democracy, Security, and Human Rights,” with speakers addressing the balance of democratic values and state security in conflict regions.
Day two of the conference shifted to “Democratizing Developing States,” featuring discussions led by Prof. Sajjad Naseer and Mr. Muhammad Azam Khan. Participants presented research on youth participation in governance and post-conflict democratic challenges in developing nations. Further discussions included the influence of ethnic groups on democracy and the growing trend of electoral authoritarianism.
A session on “The Role of Traditional and Social Media in Democracies” highlighted the impact of digital platforms on political participation and civil rights. The event concluded with a Policy Dialogue Session, moderated by Dr. Mohammad Irfan Ali Fani, focusing on practical solutions to democratic crises.
The conference concluded with remarks from Chief Organizer Prof. Dr. Khalid Manzoor Butt and Chief Guest Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, who emphasized the importance of democratic evolution in Pakistan. Pro-Rector Dr. Hammad Naveed closed the event by acknowledging the contributions of presenters and organizers.
IC3D 2025 underscored the University of Central Punjab’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and advancing the discourse on democratic governance, highlighting the institution’s role in global academic leadership within political science and international relations.