The death knell of Western dominance has tolled. With three-quarters of humanity outside the Western world, we find ourselves in a tense interregnum. The old international order is crumbling, and a new order is emerging with as yet unclear contours. The rise of the Global South and the expansion of the BRICS are challenges to a system of Western norms and values undermined by its own contradictions. Democratic advocates of this swing see in it the promise of more inclusive global governance. But in an unpredictable geopolitical environment, this transformation is also high-risk.

This redrawing of the world is taking place in an increasingly merciless confrontation between the great powers. Could it lead to a weakening of liberal values, in particular fundamental human rights?

Introduction: 

• Achim Wennmann, Director for Strategic Partnerships, Geneva Graduate Institute

• Philippe Mottaz, Forum Programmer, FIFDH

Through a dialogue between Noam Chomsky and Brazilian diplomat Celso Amorim, the film Tropical Utopia invites reflection on the political, social and economic issues that have shaped Latin America. The film screening (2023, 78 minutes, in Portuguese/English with English subtitles) will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Jamil Chade, journalist at The Geneva Observer, with: 

• Aminata Traore, former Minister of Mali and writer

• Aude Darnal, Research Analyst, Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy Program, Stimson Center

• João Amorim, Director of Tropical Utopia

• Andrea E. Ostheimer, Representative of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung at the United Nations

The event will be bilingual English and French, and is organised in partnership with the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH), which will take place from 8 to 17 March 2024.