Liberal democracy is in a state of crisis. Worldwide, a “democratic recession” can be observed, even in countries that have long claimed a leading role in defending and spreading democratic values and freedoms. Uncertainties about the future of the European Union and its transformation into a “Citizens’ Europe” are shaping the run-up to the European Parliament elections in May 2019.

This year’s NECE conference in Marseilles will provide a platform for the development of strategies on how citizenship education and civil society can counter the negative trend in liberal democracy and defend the civic space and basic democratic rights and freedoms in our societies.

Confirmed speakers include Latifa Ibn Ziaten, Niccolò Milanese, Jan-Werner Müller, Basil Kerski, Claire Demesmay, Edit Inotai, Istvan Hegedüs, Karolina Wigura and Alberto Alemanno.

The open and creative venue of the Friche La Belle de Mai in the centre of Marseilles offers an optimal (spatial and social) framework for a “festival” of networking, dialogue and inspiration.

NECE is open for citizenship educators, activists and students from Europe and North Africa as well as for the public of Marseilles, French educators and civil society organisations. Conference participation is free of charge. Registration is open NOW: NECE Conference 2018

More on the conference here.