International Democracy Day Brussels 2025 Conference

This year’s theme, “A World Turned Upside Down: Democracy and Inclusion in an Age of Insecurity”, addresses the urgent links between inclusive democracy, global security, and Europe's role in an increasingly volatile world.

For 30 years, International IDEA has been a leader in providing comparative data and publications, developing capacity to enable democratic reforms, and convening with partners to champion democratic values across the globe.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Laura Chinchilla, Former President of Costa Rica
• Emma Theofelus, Minister of Information and Tech, Namibia
• Kajsa Ollongren, EU Special Representative for Human Rights
• Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA
• Pelayo Castro, Deputy Managing Director for the Americas, EEAS
• Chiara Adamo, Head of Unit Gender, Human Rights and Democratic Governance, DG INTPA, European Commission
• Tasnim Jara, Senior Joint Member Secretary, National Citizen Party Bangladesh
• Sarah Wheaton, Chief Policy Correspondent, Politico Europe
• Thomas Carothers, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
• And many others…

With special messages from:

• Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement
• Dubravka Šuica, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean
• Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee
   

Hear from International IDEA experts in the following sessions:

14:25 -15:10 CEST on 18 September

Session 1: High-Level Opening Session: ‘Democracy for All: Inclusive Democracy as a Pathway to Security and Development’

The IDD Brussels Conference 2025 High-level opening session will mark International IDEA’s 30th anniversary, unpacking how inclusion strengthens democracy and contributes to peace and security. The session will explore how democratic values can be embedded in international partnerships to promote mutual benefit and cooperation between the Global North and South.

Speakers:

• Shada Islam, Managing Director, New Horizons Project Geopolitical Strategy Advice and Analysis
• Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General, International IDEA
• Emma Theofelus, Minister of Information and Tech, Namibia
• Dorjraa Munkhtur, Ambassador at Large for Democracy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Mongolia
• Tasnim Jara, Member, Political Council and Senior Joint Member Secretary, National Citizen Party, Bangladesh

14:25 -15:10 CEST on 18 September

Lightning Talk: Democracy on the Move – Global State of Democracy 2025 Report
Speaker:  Seema Shah, Head of Democracy Assessment, International IDEA

11:10-11:45 CEST on 19 September

Session IV: “Investing in values: How the Next EU Budget Can Strengthen Democracy”

This session will explore strategies to embed democratic values in EU external action, strengthen the rule of law, and bolster civil society within the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034, building on the Joint Statement on “Support for Democracy in the Next MFF is Key for the EU to Achieve its Ambitions” and the European Commission's proposal for the MFF 2028-2034. 

Speakers:

• Ken Godfrey, Executive Director, European Partnership for Democracy
• Sam van der Staak, Director for Europe, International IDEA

This annual flagship event is organized by International IDEA in collaboration with the European Endowment for Democracy (EED), European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP), European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), and Carnegie Europe. The 2025 conference is supported by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Global Democracy Coalition, and the EU-LAC Foundation.

For more information and full agenda, visit the IDD Brussels website.