At a time when democracy faces increasing threats – from authoritarian tendencies to the erosion of public trust – how can we strengthen its resilience?

On May 23, 2025, leading scholars and practitioners will gather at the Egmont Palace, Brussels, for the inaugural conference of the Hannah Arendt Network on Democratic Resilience and Renewal. Through keynote lectures, critical reflections, and international exchange, this event will explore how democracy can adapt and thrive in times of uncertainty.

“If we are to save democracy from ourselves, we have to omit what has become superfluous, to draw a line between what is real and what is mere appearance.”
— Hannah Arendt

Join us in shaping a new dialogue on democratic resilience and renewal.

Programme
9:00-9:30: Welcoming of participants and registrations. 

9:30-12:30: Morning Session – Keynote Speeches & Framing the Challenge 

• Opening Remarks
• Keynote Speeches:
  • Susanne Mundschenk – Director, EU Intelligence
  • Matthijs Rooduijn – Professor, University of Amsterdam
  • Roger Berkowitz – Director, Hannah Arendt Center, New York
  • Jurko Prochaska – Co-founder and Coordinator, Ukraine Democracy Initiative 
• Q&A & Interactive Discussion

12:30-13:30: Lunch break 

13:30-17:30: Afternoon Session

• Thematic Presentations by the Hannah Arendt Centers (Belgium, Germany, Italy and USA) 
• Panel Discussion: “Technology & participation as tools in shaping a more resilient democracy” 

This panel discussion will feature leading practitioners with extensive experience in addressing diverse democracy challenges. Experts will share perspectives on the role of technology in democratic processes, the importance of citizen participation in strengthening democracy and how resilient democracies can withstand external and internal pressures.

Speakers in this panel will be confirmed shortly.

17:30-18:30: Late Afternoon Session – Official Inauguration of HAN

• Official Launch of the Hannah Arendt Network
• Closing Remarks: Representatives of the Flemish Government, the Belgian Federal Government, and the European Commission

18:30-19:30: Networking Reception

Please register by Wednesday, 30 April 2025.