John MacFarlane is a writer, producer and editor from Montreal, Canada. He has an MA in media studies, a grad diploma in journalism and a B.Eng in electrical engineering. His MA thesis was about the Daily Show. He's interested in civic engagement and communications theory, the digital divide and alternative economic theories, and saving nature.

Yudhvir Ranchod is a recent graduate from South Africa with a MA in International Relations. He has been working on the Why Democracy? project since August 2007 and is developing an outreach programme for schools and universities across the developing world. With a keen interest in technology, film and politics, he is optimistic his blog entries will appear informative.

Don Edkins is a documentary filmmaker and producer. He produced the Southern African series on truth and reconciliation Landscape of Memory (1998), and the multi-awarded documentary project Steps for the Future (2001/04) – a collection of 38 films about Southern Africa in the time of HIV and AIDS. He is Executive Producer of the STEPS International global documentary project Why Democracy? 10 long and 18 short films.

Born and raised in Switzerland's countryside, Janine moved quite a bit inside good old Europe for the past years and currently calls Johannesburg in South Africa her home. She has an MA in Media and Communication Studies and has mostly been working in branding and public communication. Analyzing the concept of Nation Branding in her master thesis, she discoverd how much she cared about democracy and that nationalism is - well - not only a blessing.

Zoe D’Amaro is an Italian filmmaker based in Amsterdam and partner in the production company Godmother Films. Over the past 10 years she has worked as writer/director and producer on several short films and documentaries. Among her latest fiction productions, the 40 minute film Night of The Living Lasagna (2007). Interferenze is her latest documentary work, developed and co-produced by Godmother Films, together with ZDF and STEPS International.