Demo Lab's Decade of Inspiration and Action at the Oslo Freedom Forum
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Dr. Alvaro Salas Castro presenting a new partnership between The Reynolds Foundation, the Human Rights Foundation, and The Democracy Lab before introducing Carlos Vives to the stage.
For Demo Lab, an organization dedicated to championing democracy and active citizen engagement in Costa Rica and Latin America, the Oslo Freedom Forum (OFF), hosted by the Human Rights Foundation, has been a wellspring of inspiration and growth. Dr. Alvaro Salas Castro, Chairman of Demo Lab, has been part of the OFF community for nearly a decade. His journey began as a young PhD student with a dream of creating positive change. Year on year, Alvaro gained connections and learnings through the forum that helped him turn that dream into a reality.
This year, Alvaro took the OFF stage to present a very special partnership. We are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking collaboration between Human Rights Foundation (HRF), Demo Lab, and The Reynolds Foundation. This partnership will support DemoLab’s development of the Freedom Curriculum by leveraging the Human Rights Foundation’s network of freedom fighters to supplement the curriculum and its mission to inspire democratic values through the power of storytelling. The Reynolds Foundation will also grant strategic and financial support to DemoLab programs such as the BLISS Summit, and the FWD Tech and Freedom Academies, in partnership with CRC Endurance.
Following the presentation of this partnership, Alvaro had the honor to introduce Carlos Vives, Founder of the sustainable cultural development organization, Tras la Perla, and recently named Latin Grammy’s Person of the Year. Demo Lab had introduced Carlos Vives to the Human Rights Foundation and was honored to contribute to bringing this Latin American icon to OFF. Carlos not only lifted the spirits of the crowd through his performances but also used the power of music to share his love for Colombia and the work that Tras La Perla does on the ground there to support underserved communities.
From left to right, Carlos Vives and Claudia Elena Vasquez (Founders of Tras La Perla), Garry Kasparov (Chairman of the Human Rights Foundation), and Dr. Alvaro Salas Castro (Chairman of the Democracy Lab).
Watch Alvaro's speech and Carlos Vives' performance at the Oslo Freedom Forum here:
1.2 Building a Global Network for Freedom
1.2 Building a Global Network for Freedom
Leopoldo Lopez,Venezuelan Freedom Fighter and co-founder of the World Liberty Congress, in an interview with The Democracy Lab Chief of Staff, Nia Demming.
DemoLab's participation in the 2024 Oslo Freedom Forum was a resounding success. The event, known for uniting human rights advocates across industries, perfectly aligned with our mission of empowering citizens. The theme, "Reclaiming Democracy" in the face of rising tyranny, resonated deeply.
We had the privilege to connect with freedom fighters like Tanele Maseko, Paul Rusesabagina, and Evan Mawarire (all slated to speak at DemoLab's BLISS Summit 2025), as well as sponsors and partners like Atlas Network, World Liberty Congress, and Jack Dorsey (Founder & CEO of Block Inc.). We discussed their visions for freedom and how events like OFF and BLISS amplify their impact. Stay tuned for upcoming interviews sharing their insights!
From left to right,Jeff Booth, Sophia, Paul Itoi, Miles Suter, Isabelle Hirs and Noemi Boyer.
During a Human Rights Foundation financial freedom retreat in Norway, we had the privilege of hosting a session with five esteemed leaders from various industries, including technology companies, bitcoin experts, and philanthropists. Together, we brainstormed and strategized on how to scale our Tech & Freedom Academies in Costa Rica, with the goal of teaching freedom and financial literacy to more young adults. The insights and expertise shared by these leaders were invaluable in helping us chart a path towards expanding our impact and empowering the next generation of leaders in Costa Rica.
Honoring Alexei Navalny in the 2024 Thulani Maseko Justice Prize Ceremony
DemoLab participated in the 2024 Thulani Maseko Justice Prize Ceremony held during the Oslo Freedom Forum. This solemn yet inspiring event honored Alexei Navalny, the late Russian dissident posthumously awarded for his unwavering fight for democracy and human rights. The Thulani Maseko Justice Prize recognizes courageous defenders like Navalny, a cause DemoLab firmly upholds. The ceremony provided an opportunity to connect with other human rights advocates working towards a just world.
From left to right, Alvaro Piaggio (Senior Policy Officer at Human Rights Foundation), Noemi Boyer (CEO of the Democracy Lab), Rachel Riedl (Head of our New Center for Global Democracy), Walter Kissling (CEO and CIO at K Squared Capital), Nia Demming (Chief of Staff of the Democracy Lab), Eduardo Missura (Director of Investor Relations at Ksquared Capital), Leopoldo Lopez (Venezuelan Freedom Fighter and co-founder of the World Liberty Congress).
During the Oslo Freedom Forum, we collaborated with partners like Cornell's Global Centre of Democracy. Together, we strategized on a groundbreaking research project: the effect of teaching our Freedom Curriculum to students in the FWD Tech and Freedom Academies. This collaboration exemplifies the Oslo Freedom Forum's power to turn ideas into action. The forum empowered us with the knowledge, connections, and inspiration to propel our vital mission forward.
From left to right, Andy Bruna (Chief Financial Officer of the Democracy Lab), Valentina Salas, Caroline Reynolds (Vice Chairman and Co-Founder of The Reynolds Foundation), Dr. Alvaro Salas Castro (Chairman of the Democracy Lab), Noemi Boyer (CEO of the Democracy Lab), Gabriel Baeza (Co-founder of the Democracy Lab), Traci Maddock (Strategic Advisor of The Reynolds Foundation), Pablo Salazar (Director of Project at Democracy Lab) and Nia Demming (Chief of Staff of the Democracy Lab).
The Oslo Freedom Forum has been a transformative force for Demo Lab. It has not only allowed us to showcase our efforts but has also empowered us with the knowledge, connections, and inspiration to continue our vital work. We remain steadfast in our mission to foster active citizen engagement and participation, safeguarding the democratic ideals that are the foundation of a thriving society. Witness the power of connection and inspiration at the Oslo Freedom Forum! Watch the video recap here
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