#DXC25 Highlights
The sixth DemocracyXChange summit, held from April 3–5, 2025, in Toronto, united a record-breaking 800 changemakers over three days and four venues.
This gathering provided an essential space for engaging in meaningful conversations, sessions and workshops focussed on democracy, accountability, belonging, and the collective future we are shaping in Canada and beyond. Attendees from diverse sectors collaborated to challenge assumptions, share strategies, and spark action.
The summit began with a dynamic artist exhibition, demonstrating art’s critical role in civil discourse and the reimagining of democracy. Highlights included Timothy Snyder’s keynote on reframing freedom as a collective endeavor, and a groundbreaking meeting of over 40 Canadian trans advocates strategizing for narrative and legal change. Mayor Olivia Chow emphasized the role of political leaders as connectors between people and policy, while Musa al-Gharbi urged the symbolic class to reflect on their responsibilities. Discussions with People for Education underscored public education as a cornerstone of democracy, and Choir! Choir! Choir! provided a harmonious conclusion, symbolizing unity.
DXC25 by the Numbers
800+ change-makers convening over 3 days across 4 venues
90+ speakers across 24 sessions and 11 workshops
34 community partners, 19 program advisors, 12 sponsors and 36 volunteers
Democracy Futures Workshop
The 2025 Democracy Futures Workshop brought together more than 80 participants during the DemocracyXChange Summit in Toronto to collaboratively imagine what a resilient Canadian democracy could look like by 2035.
Building on insights from past years, the 2025 workshop guided participants through assessing the current state of democracy, envisioning preferred futures, and identifying the bold actions needed today.
Participants identified 18 core actions across media literacy, civic engagement, youth empowerment, climate resilience, economic inclusion, and responsible tech. Together, they offer a roadmap toward a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient democracy.
2025 Featured Speakers
A Bold Call to Action: Advancing Trans and Gender-Diverse Rights in Canada
The Trans and Gender-diverse Rights Convening at DXC25 highlighted an existential and escalating backlash against trans and gender-diverse communities across North America, marked by over 1,000 anti-trans bills and rising hostile rhetoric in Canada. This report captures the vital discussions and collaborations from the convening, serving as a practical roadmap for future action.
Timothy Snyder:
Freedom, Truth, and the Future of Democracy
Historian Timothy Snyder delivered a powerful talk on freedom, truth, and the future of democracy at DXC25. He urged us to move beyond “negative freedom” toward a vision of liberty grounded in solidarity, institutions, and shared responsibility.
Read our recap or watch the replay at the link below.
DemocracyXChange is a collaboration of:
Presented by
