The Ratiu Dialogues on Democracy serves as a growing platform for professionals, policymakers, academics, journalists, government officials, and teachers to meet and network.

THE RATIU DIALOGUES ON DEMOCRACY 2026

Save the Date
4-6 September 2026
The Ratiu Democracy Centre I Turda I Romania
Our annual Dialogues on Democracy conference brings together leading thinkers, policymakers, and experts to discuss the most pressing challenges for democracy and security in Central and Southeastern Europe – and more widely across Europe and the Transatlantic space.
EVENT POSTER
This year’s theme, European Security in Challenging Times, will explore Europe’s role in shaping contemporary strategy in a complex world order. We will cover a range of topics from defence capabilities and the role of AI in Democracy to the future of European security.
The two-day agenda will include high-level discussions with academics, policymakers, and civil society leaders from across the region, and it promises to be a thought-provoking gathering with a first-rate group of experts.
 

Click here to download the press release.

Share

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Share
Instagram

Agenda

  • Future of European Security
  • Prospects for Peace in Ukraine, Russia’s Future
  • European Cooperation on the Eastern Flank
  • How AI and Technology is Changing Democracy and Warfare
  • Democracy and Delivery in an Age of Populism
  • A Changing Face of Warfare?
  • Upgrading European Defense Capabilities

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

  • Dr Clara Volintiru, Secretary of State (Deputy Minister), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania
  • Professor Slobodan Markovich, University of Belgrade
  • Sir Philip Barton, Former Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office & Visiting Professor in Practice, LSE
  • Dr Robin Brooks, Pomona College
  • Professor Alexander Evans, LSE
 

OPENING REMARKS

  • Mr Nicolae Rațiu, Ratiu Forum
  • Professor Alexander Evans, LSE
  • Dr Rebecca Shah, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Romania
  • Dr Stefan Hofmann, Konrad-Adenauer Foundation
 

PANELS &SPEAKERS

Future of European Security
Chair: Ambassador Alfredo Durante Mangoni, Central European Initiative

Panelists: Professor Loukas Tsoukalis, Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy, Dr Robin Brooks, Pomona College, Mr Piers Cazalet, NATO, Mr Anthony Monckton, ViennEast

Prospects for Peace in Ukraine, Russia’s Future
Chair: Mr. Mircea Barbu, BBC

Panelists: Mr Oleksandr Danyluk, RUSI, Professor Ben Noble, UCL, Professor Athanasios Platias, University of Piraeus, Professor Armand Goșu, University of Bucharest

European Cooperation on the Eastern Flank
Chair: John Florescu, CEO, Centrade

Panelists: Dr Stefan Hofmann, Konrad-Adenauer Foundation, Mr Christoph Plate, Konrad-Adenauer Foundation, Dr Yevhen Hlibovytskyi, Pro-Mova, Dr Daniel Lemmen, Konrad-Adenauer Foundation

How AI and Technology is Changing Democracy and Warfare
Chair: Professor Alexander Evans, LSE
Panelists: Dr Katja Muñoz, German Council on Foreign Relations, Dr Matthew Ford, Swedish Defence University, Ms Cristina Cileacu, Digi24, Ms Martina Orlea, Office of the Romanian President

Democracy and Delivery in an Age of Populism
Chair: Professor Adnan Khan, LSE

Panelists: Ms Zselyke Csaky, Council for European Reform, Dr Anton Shekhovtsov, Centre for Democratic Integrity, Central European University, Professor Raul Cârstocea, Maynooth University, Ms Cristina Guseth, Freedom House Romania

A Changing Face of Warfare?
Chair: Dr. Ernst Dijxhoorn, Leiden University

Panelists: Dr Niels Bo Poulsen, Royal Danish Defence College, Mr Horia Botiș, NATO Industrial Advisory Group, Dr Marcin Fatalski, Jagiellonian University

Upgrading European Defense Capabilities
Chair: Ms. Ariella Viehe, NATO

Panelists: Brigadier General Mircea Mîndrescu, Dr Wojciech Michnik, Jagiellonian University, Dr Tomas Ries, Swedish National Defence University, Mr Jesse Wald, Wiz (Google)

 

SPONSORS