The satellite events are events organised by universities renowned in the sphere of political studies and international relations, non-governmental organisations, municipalities and other institutions.

The organising institutions are free to propose the dates and format of their event, the speakers and the specific topic(s) in line with this year’s Forum main theme. Possible formats include seminars, lecture in schools, survey, social media campaigns or radio/TV debates.

The satellite events should take place before the Forum so that their findings could be presented at the Forum and eventually be included in the Forum’s final report.

The Organising institutions should prepare a brief presentation of the findings of the event which will be put on the website of the World Forum for Democracy.

Events

Back Portugal and the Council of Europe at 50: Democratic Memory, Civic Trust and the Future of Democracy

21 Sep 2026
University of Aveiro – Department of Social, Political and Territorial Sciences (DCSPT)
Event Information

Background

The celebration of the 50th anniversary of Portugal’s accession to the Council of Europe provides a particularly meaningful opportunity to reflect upon Portugal’s democratic trajectory, the significance of European integration, and the contemporary challenges currently facing liberal democracies.

Portugal’s accession to the Council of Europe in September 1976 represented far more than a diplomatic gesture: it symbolised the international recognition of the country’s democratic consolidation following the Carnation Revolution and its full integration into the European political space founded upon democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Five decades later, it is important to revisit this trajectory not merely from a commemorative perspective, but above all as a starting point for a critical and forward-looking reflection on:

  • trust in democratic institutions;
  • the challenges facing political representation;
  • the relationship between democracy and territory;
  • citizen participation;
  • the role of younger generations;
  • and the future of the European democratic project.

In this context, the University of Aveiro, through its Department of Social, Political and Territorial Sciences, proposes the organisation of a satellite event of the World Forum for Democracy 2026, bringing together democratic memory, academic reflection, institutional experience and political debate.

The event aims to establish itself as a plural space for dialogue between academia, the Council of Europe, policymakers, civil society and youth, while also producing a short reflection note (“Aveiro Reflection Note”) to be shared with the World Forum for Democracy team.

 

PROGRAMME

09:15 – Opening Session

  • João Lourenço Marques, Director of the Department of Social, Political and Territorial Sciences, University of Aveiro
  • Abel Campos, Deputy Registrar of the European Court of Human Rights, Council of Europe
  • Artur Silva, Rector of the University of Aveiro

09:45 - Keynote Lecture

Portugal, the Council of Europe and the evolving meaning of democratic commitment

Augusto Santos Silva, University of Porto, Former President of the Portuguese Parliament and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs

11:00 – Coffee Break

11:15 – Panel 1

Portugal, democracy and European belonging: 50 years on

Moderator

Tiago Brandão Rodrigues, University of Aveiro

Participants

  • Helena Roseta, Architect, Former Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and Former Member of the Portuguese Delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
  • Carlos Jalali, University of Aveiro
  • Catarina Garcia, Council of Europe

12:45 - Lunch

14:15 - Panel 2

Democracy close to citizens: local governance and territorial cohesion

Moderator

Frederico Moura e Sá, University of Aveiro

Participants

  • Jorge Vultos Sequeira, Lawyer, Former Mayor of São João da Madeira and Former Head of the Portuguese Delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
  • Isabel Damasceno, Economist, Former Mayor of Leiria and Former President of the Regional Coordination and Development Commission of the Centro Region
  • Helena Freitas, University of Coimbra, Former Member of Parliament and Former Coordinator of the Mission Unit for the Enhancement of the Interior

15:30 - Panel 3

Democratic renewal: youth, participation and civic engagement

Moderator

Patrícia Silva, University of Aveiro

Participants

  • Gabriela Moutinho, MyPolis Project - Recipient of the Council of Europe’s Democracy Innovation Award
  • Isabel Rocha, Portuguese Youth Delegate to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
  • Joana Regadas, President of the Students’ Union of the University of Aveiro