Join the conversation

Would you like to share your experiences and be part of a conversation about our shared democratic future? Are you looking for an opportunity to share your vision with others and connect with people beyond your local community?

For the fifth time, the Foundation of the Peaceful Revolution, together with its partners, invites human rights defenders, NGO representatives, and academics—from Europe and around the world—to Leipzig for the biennial Democracy and Human Rights Conference Revolutionale – International Round Table Conference 2026 (IRT26).

The IRT26 provides a platform and a safe space for dialogue on shared values, discussion of current and structural issues, and strategies for action. Participants from Europe and beyond are welcome, including individuals and organizations working in exile.

Under this year’s theme, “Democratic Memories. Democratic Futures,” the conference explores the conditions and practices of democratic coexistence. Drawing on the experiences of peaceful revolutions and civil resistance—and marking the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster—we examine how environmental, political, and societal transformations intersect.

The program highlights both the consequences of authoritarian governance and the transnational impact of collective action, creating an opportunity to reflect on past experiences and current realities. We invite participants to reflect on how democratic memories—whether personal or collective—can inspire present engagement, strengthen human rights-based approaches, and contribute to more inclusive, participatory, and sustainable futures.

Democracy is continually shaped by those who practice and defend it.

Thank you very much for all your applications. The open call is now closed, and we are no longer accepting submissions. We look forward to your questions.