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Reinventing Campus Democracy: Bridging Divides and Advancing Solutions

27 June 2025

Organising entities: Coimbra Group, Utrecht University, with support from the European Students’ Union (ESU)

The Coimbra Group together with Utrecht University are launching the 40th anniversary of the Coimbra Group closing event, 21 November (8h30 – 17h00), at the University Foundation, Rue d´Egmont 11, Brussels. The topic is: “Reinventing Campus Democracy: Bridging Divides and Advancing Solutions”.

Background

In a context of growing social and political tensions, both globally and within our own campuses, universities are increasingly called upon to serve as models of open dialogue, inclusive governance, and democratic resilience. However, recent events show the limits and challenges universities face in fulfilling this role.

This seminar aims to explore how universities can foster dialogue, navigate disagreement, and reinforce democratic principles on campus. The seminar is a step to bridge the gap between scholarly research and campus discourse and will revolve around methodological issues: What insights and examples do universities present to contribute to a viable and sustainable democracy? What principles and procedures does this require on campus?

Programme

Seminar including a series of keynotes and 6 interactive breakout sessions in two cycles of 3 parallel sessions.

•   Keynote speeches:

  • Henk Kummeling, former Rector, Utrecht University
  • Věra Jourová, Vice-Rector for the Development of Human Resources and New Technologies, Charles University / former Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency

•     Address by Arno Schrooyen (Vice-President, European Students’ Union – ESU)

And more speakers tbc.

•   Breakout sessions:

Six breakout sessions (divided in two cycles of three parallel sessions) will be organised, to discuss in an interactive format best practices and possibilities on the way in which debate happens on campus, relatively to topics relevant to CG universities. Three topics have already been identified, three more are left open for CG Universities and their students’ community to determine through an open call for contributions. Of these three slots, one will exclusively be determined by the students.

Topics:

  1. Geopolitical tensions and conflicts
  2. Neo-conservativism, neo-liberalism, wokeism: anti-democratic visions and polarisation within societies
  3. Climate change scepticism and anti-scientific sentiment
  4. Open for proposal (through the call for contributions launched)
  5. Open for proposal (through the call for contributions launched)
  6. Open for proposal (through the call for contributions launched, exclusively chosen by CG students)

More information?

For more information on the event, please visit this page. Registrations (upon invitation only) are now open at this link. The deadline for registrations is 24 October 2025. For accommodation recommendations and discounts, please contact info@coimbra-group.eu. The Call for Contributions (selection of breakout topic and nomination of expert) is open via email. The deadline is 1 September 2025.