Institute for Political Studies organises the 10th edition of the Cimeira das Democracias

"How to rebuild consensus in democracy?" is the theme of the Cimeira das Democracias (Democracy Summit) that the Institute for Political Studies, Universidade Católica, organises on 19 April 2023. This is the 10th edition of the School's Open Day, which annually invites 11th and 12th grade students to participate "in a simulation of a great Assembly of States," as explained by Mónica Dias, Deputy Director of the IEP and Coordinator of the event.

Organised into teams of a maximum of 6 participants, the high school students will dress the role of delegates and represent States as ambassadors. Each team will have the opportunity to present a statement with proposals ("motion") on the topic of the conference.

"Is populism a threat to consensus building?", "What is the capacity of the UN to build consensus today?", "Should NATO and its partners send heavy combat armaments to Ukraine?", "Does the 'woke / cancellation culture' enhance or threaten political debate?" and "Do the Sustainable Development Goals enhance or inhibit the growth of states?" are just some of the questions under discussion on the day.

As ambassadors for each country, the participants will present answers in each of the 5 Specialised Commissions, dedicated to the themes of "Democracy, Governance and Institutional Reform"; "Foreign Policy and consensus building at an international level"; "Security and Defence: Ukraine"; "Citizenship and Education" and "Economy and Sustainability".

Alongside the delegates who will represent each nation, in the 5 commissions, students can also assume the role of journalists and present questions in the general assembly, where the proposals of each commission will be voted.

João Pereira Coutinho, professor at IEP and columnist for the Folha de São Paulo newspaper, is the guest speaker at the Opening Conference, which will also feature interventions from José Manuel Durão Barroso, Director of the Centre for European Studies, Católica, João Carlos Espada, Director of the Institute, Mónica Dias, Katalin Gönczy, Public Relations Officer of the European Parliament Office in Portugal. The President of Universidade Católica, Isabel Capeloa Gil, will close the opening session.

The European Parliament Office in Lisbon, partner of this initiative, will award the EUROESCOLA prize to the winning team.

 

See the Full Programme