Human Rights and Democratic Culture in Practice: Applications and Challenges on April 25-26, 2026 in Athens, Greece

Call for Papers

International Conference "Human Rights and Democratic Culture in Practice: Applications and Challenges"

                                                Athens, Greece | April 25-26, 2026

The Joint Master’s Programme "Identity, Education and Competences for Democratic Culture" (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens & European Wergeland Centre) and the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights are pleased to invite submissions for the International Conference to be held in Athens, Greece, on April 25-26, 2026.

The conference seeks to explore how the principles of Human Rights and Democratic Culture can be implemented in real-world contexts and to examine the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world. It aims to serve as an international platform for dialogue and exchange of good practices among academics, researchers, educators, civil society professionals, policy-makers, and students.

We welcome original research papers, theoretical explorations, and practical applications on the following (non-exhaustive) thematic axes:

1. Philosophical and Sociological Dimensions

● The identity of the citizen in the 21st century

● Human rights and democracy under pressure

● Artificial intelligence and human rights challenges

● Sociology of diversity and gender identities

● Multicultural interpretations of human rights

2. Education and Democratic Culture

● Education for cultivating competences for democratic culture

● Innovative pedagogical practices and intercultural coexistence

● Empowering educators

● Inclusion and access to education for all

3. Rule of Law and Democratic Culture

● Independence of the Judiciary

● Police violence and the rule of law

● Hate crimes and discrimination

● Freedom of expression, fake news, and SLAPP lawsuits

● Transparency and combating corruption

All abstracts and full papers submitted will undergo double-blind peer review. Accepted contributions will be included in the Conference Proceedings (with open-access publication) and authors will receive certificates of presentation.

Submission Guidelines

● Abstracts should be 300–400 words (excluding references) and clearly state objectives, methodology, and key findings.

● Abstracts may be submitted in either Greek or English.

● Submit your abstract online here: https://int.conference.mademocracyedu.theol.uoa.gr/en/presentation-submission/

Important Dates

● Abstract Submission Deadline: January 31, 2026

● Notification of Acceptance: max 60 days after submission

● Registration Opens: January 10, 2026

● Conference Dates: April 25-26, 2026

● Full Paper Submission Deadline (for proceedings): May 31, 2026

We look forward to welcoming you to Athens and having a fruitful and inspiring conference!

Venue: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (central building) & School of Law

Programme & Key Note Speakers: to be announced

Contact Information

Conference Contact email: [email protected]

Conference website: https://int.conference.mademocracyedu.theol.uoa.gr/en/home/

Conference Registrations: to be announced

Organizing Institutions:

● Joint MA Programme "Identity, Education and Competences for Democratic Culture" (NKUA & EWC)

● Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights (MFHR)