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    Democracy–Freedom–Truth: Critical Conversations from Diverse Global Perspectives

    Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the limits of civil liberties have been tested in communities around the world. Liberal democracies and authoritarian states alike have curtailed individual and collective freedoms to preserve the common good. At the same time, we have seen rising contestations of “truth,” including questioning of the scientific bases for the COVID-19 public health restrictions on free movement and association. These contestations of truth have been fueled by social media and new technologies, including AI.

Generative Themes Initiative 'Democracy–Freedom–Truth'

What do these three terms mean, both individually and in combination, within diverse cultural and geopolitical contexts? When we consider these concepts as a tryptic, we believe they raise profound questions for the future of the social world.

The International Institute aims to engage students, faculty, staff and the public beyond UCLA in critical conversations about these issues in the next two years through a series of events and activities, which will be advertised here. We hope you will be inspired to participate in these conversations or initiate some of your own. If you have an idea for an event related to this theme, please contact Marjorie Faulstich Orellana(orellana@international.ucla.edu) or David Kim(dkim@international.ucla.edu).