Europe's Response to Authoritarian Threats

2025-10-15T11:00:00+00:00

2025-10-15T13:00:00+00:00

https://www.expert-europe.eu//medias/image/thumbnail_56064660268e7e2691f1a4.png

MEP EventEurope's Response to Authoritarian Threats📅 Date:Wednesday, 15 October 2025🕐 Time:13:00 – 15:00📍 Location:European Parliament Info Hub, Place Luxembourg, BrusselsCo-hosted byLina GÁLVEZMEP, Vice-Chair of STOAS&D GroupPSOE (ES) Ville NIINISTÖMEPGreens/EFA GroupVihreä liitto (FI) Special Guest⭐Keynote SpeakerHenna VIRKKUNENExecutive Vice-President of the European CommissionTech Sovereignty, Security and DemocracyCommissioner Henna Virkkunen, responsible for the Democracy Shield initiative, will speak at the event, alongside other policymakers, academics, and experts on democratic innovations and academic freedom.European democracy is under increasing pressure from technological disruption and the spread of disinformation. At the same time, technologies hold great potential to strengthen democratic participation, transparency and citizen trust. The event will explore how research-based democratic innovations support Europe's resilience and the policy frameworks needed to ensure that technology serves citizens rather than undermines democracy.The event will highlight the role of universities in defending critical thinking, research-based decision-making and democracy, setting the stage for discussions on Europe's democratic resilience and the threats it faces. We will explore how research independence and scientific knowledge can strengthen Europe's resilience against authoritarian pressures and digital and political threats, and what the European Union should do to secure academic freedom and embed it more firmly in its rule of law framework.Programme13:00 - 13:15Opening RemarksAnne Portaankorva (Vice-Rector for Research, University of Helsinki), Marko Joas (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Åbo Akademi University) | The opening will highlight the role of universities in defending critical thinking, research-based decision-making and democracy13:20 - 13:50Panel 1: Research Innovations Strengthening European DemocracyOpening remarks & moderation: Ville Niinistö (MEP) | Panellists: Malgorzata Nikowska (Head of Unit for AI Innovation and Policy Coordination, European Commission's AI Office), Prof. Maija Setälä (University of Turku), Prof. Mikko Rask (University of Helsinki), Prof. Kimmo Grönlund (Åbo Akademi University)13:55 - 14:25Panel 2: Academic Freedom Upholding the Rule of Law in EuropeOpening remarks & moderation: Florin Zubașcu (Executive Editor, Science Business) | Panellists: Lina Gálvez (MEP, Vice-Chair of STOA), Prof. Kimmo Nuotio (University of Helsinki, Chair of the Board, Research Council of Finland), Slaven Misljencevic (Policy Officer, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission)14:30 - 14:40Call to Action: Youth and Democratic RenewalJanette Huttunen (Postdoctoral Project Researcher, Åbo Akademi University) | Deliberative democracy and youth participation: strengthening trust and democratic engagement14:40 - 15:00Closing RemarksHenna Virkkunen (Executive Vice-President, European Commission) | Reflecting on Europe's efforts to safeguard democracy and presenting the Democracy Shield initiative to protect democratic institutions from authoritarian influence, disinformation, and digital manipulationExpert SpeakersAnne PORTAANKORVAVice-Rector for ResearchUniversity of HelsinkiMarko JOASDeputy Vice-ChancellorÅbo Akademi UniversityMalgorzata NIKOWSKAHead of Unit for AI InnovationEuropean Commission's AI OfficeProf. Maija SETÄLÄProfessor of Political ScienceUniversity of TurkuProf. Mikko RASKProfessor of Democratic InnovationsUniversity of HelsinkiProf. Kimmo GRÖNLUNDProfessor of Political ScienceÅbo Akademi UniversityFlorin ZUBAȘCUExecutive EditorScience BusinessProf. Kimmo NUOTIOProfessor of Criminal LawUniversity of HelsinkiSlaven MISLJENCEVICPolicy OfficerDG Research and Innovation, European CommissionJanette HUTTUNENPostdoctoral Project ResearcherÅbo Akademi UniversityEvent co-organised byUniversity of HelsinkiUniversity of TurkuÅbo Akademi University

https://www.expert-europe.eu/en/event/europe-s-response-to-authoritarian-threats/2025/10/15/240