How can Europe strengthen democracy in increasingly diverse and rapidly changing societies? How can inclusion, participation and a sense of belonging contribute to more resilient and cohesive democracies?
These questions will be at the centre of the high-level event “Inclusive Societies, Stronger Democracies – Building a shared future where everyone can contribute, belong and thrive”, taking place on 15 October 2026 in Madrid, Spain. Organised by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on Intercultural Inclusion (ADI-INT), in cooperation with the Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE), the event will bring together European, national, regional and local authorities, policymakers, experts, youth representatives, civil society and practitioners to explore how intercultural inclusion can contribute to stronger and more resilient democracies.
A central moment of the event will be the presentation and launch of the “10 Principles for Inclusive Societies and Stronger Democracies”, jointly developed by the ADI-INT and OBERAXE. The 10 Principles provide a practical framework for strengthening inclusion, participation and belonging in increasingly diverse societies, and for translating shared democratic values into concrete policy approaches and action at different levels of governance.
The Principles draw on the Council of Europe’s intercultural inclusion approach and the experience of the Intercultural Cities Programme. Developed through consultation with stakeholders from different levels and sectors, they seek to support policymakers and practitioners in creating the conditions for everyone to participate fully in society and contribute to democratic life.
The event will also contribute to the Council of Europe’s New Democratic Pact for Europe, providing an opportunity to connect the principles and practices of intercultural inclusion with the broader reflection on the future of democracy in Europe. Discussions will consider demographic, social, cultural, technological and economic transformations, and explore how European societies can prepare for the future while ensuring that diversity is recognised as an asset and that everyone can participate and feel a sense of belonging.
Following the launch of the 10 Principles, discussions will bring together perspectives from foresight, national policy and youth, before moving to practical experiences of inclusion, participation and belonging at local level. The event will conclude with a high-level dialogue on priorities and recommendations for advancing inclusive and resilient democracies, including contributions to the ongoing discussions under the New Democratic Pact for Europe.
The event will therefore provide a platform not only to present the 10 Principles, but also to explore how they can be put into practice and endorsed by stakeholders across Europe. Participants will be invited to consider how the Principles can support concrete action in their respective contexts and contribute to a shared vision of democratic societies where everyone can contribute, belong and thrive.
The event will take place on Thursday 15 October 2026, from 8:30 to 14:00 CET and will be held in English and Spanish, with interpretation provided, and will also be available through live streaming.
