Daniele Del Bianco, Director of ISIG, was among the speakers at the International Forum in Strasbourg, which was also attended by Deputy Director Ramona Velea. It was an important opportunity to discuss the challenges of disinformation and to present ISIG’s methodological contribution to the Council of Europe’s RESIST project.
On November 2 and 3, 2026, the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg hosted the 14th edition of the World Forum for Democracy, the international event promoted by the Council of Europe that brings together representatives of institutions, experts, researchers, and civil society organizations to discuss the main challenges facing contemporary democracies.
At the 2026 edition, dedicated to the theme “Rupture or renewal? Democratic security for the future,” ISIG—the Institute of International Sociology of Gorizia—was also represented by Director Daniele Del Bianco, who served as a speaker, and Deputy Director Ramona Velea, who participated in the Forum’s proceedings.
Strengthening Resilience to Disinformation
On November 2, Daniele Del Bianco spoke at the international session “Strengthening Societal Resilience to Disinformation – for Informed Choices About Our Future,” held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Room 6 of the Palais de l’Europe.
The session, coordinated by the Council of Europe as part of its program on democratic security and the ability to anticipate future challenges, explored the role of information integrity, trust in institutions, and civic participation in building societies that are more resilient to disinformation.
The discussion, moderated by journalist Astghik Sargsian, featured Daniele Del Bianco alongside Vebjørn Heines, Norway’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, and Surendrini Wijeyaratne, an expert on democratic governance and human rights.
The RESIST Methodology: From Vulnerabilities to Concrete Responses
At the heart of Daniele Del Bianco’s presentation was the methodology developed by ISIG as part of the RESIST project —Strengthening Societal Resilience to Disinformation in Europe—an initiative of the Council of Europe funded through the EEA and Norway Grants.
The methodology proposes an integrated approach to the study of societal resilience, combining three levels of analysis: contextual data and indicators, evaluation of policies and institutional responses, and engagement of stakeholders and civil society.
The goal is to understand not only what vulnerabilities characterize a society, but also how public policies and institutional capacities can translate into effective responses to the threats posed by disinformation.
During his remarks, Del Bianco highlighted a fundamental distinction: the difference between the capacity for resilience and resilience that is actually demonstrated. Having tools, expertise, and policies is not enough if these resources do not translate into concrete, timely, and coordinated actions.
A central element is trust—both in data and scientific evidence, and in the relationship between citizens and institutions. Comparing available information, adopted policies, and the perceptions of civil society makes it possible to identify potential misalignments and guide more informed public decision-making.
The discussion also extended to the role of innovative tools—including serious gaming—as opportunities to promote awareness and democratic participation, to be integrated with participatory approaches capable of meaningfully engaging communities.
Applied Research and Participation for the Future of Democracy
ISIG’s participation in the World Forum for Democracy represents an important opportunity to share, on an international level, the scientific and methodological work developed by the Institute in collaboration with the Council of Europe.
Through RESIST, ISIG contributes to the development of analytical and evaluation tools that link scientific knowledge, public policy, and citizen perceptions, with the goal of supporting more effective strategies to combat disinformation and strengthen democratic resilience.
The Strasbourg conference reaffirmed the importance of building societies capable not only of reacting to threats, but also of recognizing, anticipating, and addressing them through evidence, trust, and participation.
Watch the video of the presentation
Daniele Del Bianco | World Forum for Democracy 2026
The ISIG Director’s presentation during the session “Strengthening Societal Resilience to Disinformation,” held on November 2, 2026, in Strasbourg. An in-depth look at the RESIST methodology and the role of data, trust, and civic participation in strengthening democratic resilience.
