Sometimes an event feels like it was intentionally designed for event sketching. That’s exactly how it felt at this year’s World Forum for Democracy, where I was invited by the Council of Europe to sketch a session called: “Who said boring? Journalism, art and games speak your language against disinformation.”
I had never been to Strasbourg before, and certainly never to the Palais de l’Europe — an elegant, light-filled building that feels purpose-built for big conversations about democracy. Walking through its halls with my sketchbook in hand felt both surreal and completely natural at the same time.
The session itself was an ideal match. Much of the discussion focused on using creative and visual ways to reach younger audiences — exactly the kinds of communication techniques I try to capture through event sketching. When speakers talk about the power of visuals to make ideas more accessible, engaging, and memorable… well, it feels like they’re describing my job better than I could.
Led by Cesare Pitea, the speakers — Marijana Grbeša Zenzerović, Michaël Opgenhaffen, and Ngina Kirori — explored how storytelling, design, and media can help counter disinformation.
I sketched throughout the presentations and recorded audio so I could later weave the ideas and quotes into a six-page illustrated summary of the conversation.
It was a privilege to be part of a discussion that values art and creativity as a tool for truth.