CANVAS

Swipe to learn more about recent protests in Damascus -> #syria #peoplepower

Swipe to learn more about the recently released Freedom in the World report -> For more information abou the methodology, research, and organization visit freedomhouse.org.

Protests in Cuba, swipe to learn more -> #peoplepower #cuba

On recent developments in the Middle East and the pursuit of durable reform. Read more below

Thai activists to serve two years and eight months. Swipe to learn more -> #freemook #peoplepower

Iranian authorities, terrified of their people, have banned Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp and YouTube. In moments of political crisis, the government can also shut down the internet altogether so people cannot communicate and spread news of unrest. trib.al/JNiPeuP

Pro-democracy Advocate, Jimmy Lai, sentenced in Hong Kong. Click to learn more -> #peoplepowered #jimmylai #hongkong

Swipe to learn more -> #peoplepowered #unitedstates

Uganda election season has brought political tensions to a new level. Swipe to learn more ->

Frenchie Mae Cumpio was sentenced to 12 years in jail on charges of terrorism financing. Targeted for her reporting work on rural areas and critiques of the governmnet; her charges have been widely condemned. #frenchiemaecumpio #peoplepowered

Iran this week: renewed protest activity amid economic pressure, intensified state repression, and growing international attention. Swipe for context →

Prominent Egyptian activist Ahmed Douma was arrested Tuesday without charges, later linked by authorities to social media posts exposing prison abuses, including AI-generated content. The arrest signals a shift toward repressing digital dissent—targeting criticism, not violence.

Protests in Iran did not emerge overnight: Economic strain, shortages, and inflation set the conditions, repression accelerated escalation, and nationwide uproar followed. State violence against protestors has reached extreme heights with the number of killings only rising.

December 10 is the International Human Rights Day, and this year’s theme is “Our Everyday Essentials”. It highlights human rights as part of our daily lives - not abstract principles, but basic freedoms and protections we depend on every day. They influence our lives even in ways we don’t notice and are essentials people rely on in day-to-day experience. We are proud of all who continue the fight for human rights and the brave activists who face constant challenges yet refuse to give up. Their dedication reminds us that rights endure when people stand together, raise their voices, unite and act. Silence, on the other hand, is where those rights fade. Standing with freedom fighters is not only support - it is how human rights survive and grow. #HumanRightsDay

Democracy is a precondition for lasting peace. However, we live in a world where democracy is in retreat, where more and more authoritarian regimes are challenging norms and resorting to violence. Maria Corina Machado – awarded the 2025 #NobelPeacePrize – has spent years working for the freedom of the Venezuelan people. The Venezuelan regime’s rigid hold on power and its repression of the population are not unique in the world. We see the same trends globally: rule of law abused by those in control, free media silenced, critics imprisoned, and societies pushed towards authoritarian rule and militarisation. In 2024, more elections were held than ever before, but fewer and fewer are free and fair. #NobelPrize

People flooded the streets to protest against corruption in the Philippines. On September 21, 2025, thousands of Filipinos took to the streets to protest against the misappropriation of trillions of pesos in taxpayers' money for 'ghost' or incomplete flood control projects.  The anger of the protesters was fueled by ongoing investigations and revelations that exposed officials and contractors who allegedly pocketed these funds. While ordinary people suffer from deadly floods and lack of proper infrastructure that cause misery to families, corrupt officials, their allied contractors, and their families shamelessly enjoy and flaunt a lavish lifestyle on social media. The protesters have called for accountability, the return of misappropriated funds, and the imprisonment of those responsible for corruption. Photograph: Lisa Marie David/Reuters

2025 is the year we mark 20 years of CANVAS - working alongside activists, communities, and educators worldwide to strengthen democracy and inspire social change through the power of nonviolence! CANVAS has been creating change through knowledge, innovation, and collaboration and we are grateful to the incredible activists and partners who we have a privilege to collaborate with. For two decades, CANVAS has been proud to stand with activists, students, and communities worldwide. But our journey is just beginning. The next 20 years will bring new challenges and new opportunities to innovate, connect, and defend democracy through people power. Join us in continuous support of nonviolent movements globally!

We note with concern that the media outlet Pamfleti has adapted and misrepresented our latest article – originally published in the Journal of Democracy (JoD) and authored by Breza Race Maksimović and Srđa Popović – by altering its original headline and adding photographs, without authorization from either the Journal of Democracy or the article’s authors. In our work we emphasize the importance of well-researched and accurate information. Our publications and analyses are independent and non-partisan, with the sole purpose of contributing to a better understanding of social dynamics and current situations. Altering the headline and adding photographs out of context can only fuel confusion, which goes against our core principles. We emphasize that the only authentic version of this work is the one published by the Journal of Democracy (JoD). Any other versions circulating outside this context should be considered unauthorized modifications that misrepresent the original content and intention of the authors.

New article is out! The @JoDemocracy has just published our piece on the rise of the student movement in Serbia — the largest mobilization the country has seen in decades. @BrezaRace @SrdjaPopovic journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclusi…

So proud to be a part of @bobgreenberg amazing "Brainwave video anthology" talking about my friend, role model and mentor #ZoranDjindjic youtube.com/watch?v=Y46XuF… @CANVASNVS