Την Τρίτη, 29 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026 και ώρα 18.00, φιλοξενείται στο Μέγαρο της Ακαδημίας Αθηνών, η εναρκτήρια τελετή των συνεδριών της Ολομέλειας της φετινής διοργάνωσης του Athens Democracy Forum (ADF). Ο Πρόεδρος της Ακαδημίας Αθηνών, κ. Νικηφόρος Διαμαντούρος, θα απευθύνει χαιρετισμό.
Ακολουθεί το πρόγραμμα της τελετής:
Official Opening of the Athens Democracy Forum Plenary Sessions -Venue: Academy of Athens
17:30 – 18:00 Registration * draft agenda subject to change
18:00 – 18:10 Welcome Remarks Nikiforos Diamandouros, President, Academy of Athens
Achilles Tsaltas, President, Democracy & Culture Foundation
18:15 – 19:05 Opening Debate: Democracy’s Identity Crisis
Some argue that today’s democracies were built for a different era; their structures are rigid where agility is needed, reactive instead of proactive, and designed for slow deliberation in a world defined by exponential shocks. At a time when its proponents are dwindling and strongmen are unrestrained, is democracy still fit to address our current challenges?
Debaters:
● Vinkha Adinda, International Youth Think Tank
● Dalia Grybauskaité, Former President, Lithuania
● Nicole MacIntyre, Editor in Chief, Toronto Star
● Laura Thornton, Former Director, Global Democracy Programs, McCain Institute
● Zhang Weiwei, Professor of International Relations and Director, China Institute, Fudan University
● Edward C. Wingenbach, President, American College of Greece
Jurors:
● María Elena Agüero, Secretary General, Club de Madrid
● Pedro Abramovay, Vice President, Programs, Open Society Foundations
● Kathleen Kingsbury, Opinion Editor, The New York Times
Moderated by Stephen Dunbar-Johnson, Head of International Public Affairs, The New York Times
19:10 – 19:30 Lightning Talk: Can Foreign Aid Be Shock-Proofed?
Traditional foreign aid is under immense strain, with global shocks further threatening economic stability worldwide. In response, a coalition of over 30 countries is pushing for “Global Public Investment,” a bold approach where every nation pitches in according to what they can afford, where benefits are distributed based on need, and where decision-making power is shared. How realistic is this model, and would powerful countries be willing to sign up? This session brings together a leader and architects of the movement to explore this vision of a new financial system.
● María Elena Agüero, Secretary General, Club de Madrid
● Simon Reid-Henry, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo
Moderated by Liz Alderman, Journalist
19:35 – 19:55 “Democratic Innovators of the 21st Century” Politicians’ Hall of Fame
2026 Inductees announced in collaboration with the Better Politics Foundation
● Éva Tessza Udvarhelyi, Deputy Mayor, 8th District of Budapest
In conversation with Suki Capobianco, Co-C.E.O., Better Politics Foundation
(Athens Democracy Forum E: info@athensdemocracy.com
73 Haines House, 10 Charles Clowes Walk – London SW11 7AH)