This September ALDA, with the patronage of the European Committee of Regions, the Province of Vicenza and the Municipality of Thiene and the generous contribution of the Veneto Region, presents the second edition of its International School, which will take place in Villa Fabris (Thiene) from September 3rd to 5th, 2025. This year’s programme, themed ‘Resilient Communities: Strengthening Local Democracy in Times of Change’, will explore how to reinforce local democracies in the face of today’s global challenges.”
The objective of the International School is to build trust in institutions by recognising various threats to democracy, and to create an environment in which it is possible to balance global and local decision-making processes. These challenges are also faced by using new tools, particularly in the fields of AI and technology. By understanding these new instruments, it is possible to create the starting point for a new, sustainable, and more ethical democratic system.
The programme offers a balance of theory and practical application, providing participants with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to enhance democratic institutions at the local level. Through expert-led sessions, interactive lectures, and role-playing exercises, participants will explore key issues like democratic resilience, the role of digital tools in governance, and how to foster transparency and citizen engagement.
September 3, 2025
The first day will begin with the Opening Session and Institutional Welcome, where local and regional leaders, together with representatives of European organisations, will introduce the central theme of democratic resilience. Then it will continue with a Keynote Panel on populism and democracy under pressure, exploring how contemporary challenges are reshaping democratic life, with Professor Paolo Graziano from the University of Padua and Professor Dino Piovan as high level speakers. After an interactive lecture on Populism, Polarisation and Institutional Trust, held by Patrick Molinoz, Former President of the CIVEX commission of the European Committee of the Regions and Vice-President of the Burgundy-Franche Comté Region (France), Nataša Vučković, President of ALDA and President of Center for Democracy Foundation and Cana Tülüş Türk, PhD, Senior Specialist at Istanbul Policy Center and a lecturer in Comparative Politics at Okan and Medipol Universities, the attention will shifts to practice and participation. In two World Café discussions focused on participatory decision-making, facilitated by experts from Avventura Urbana, participants are invited to reflect on how communities can build and sustain resilient democracies.
The day will come to a closure with a guided tour of the wonderful city of Thiene.
September 4, 2025
The focus of the second day will be directed towards governance and innovation. The morning will open with a session on multilateralism and local democracy, followed by a lecture examining the collaboration between the private sector and civil society in shaping local governance by Researcher and Lecturer Valbona Karakaci from the University of Shkodra, and PhD Bernd Steinman from HELVETAS. It will be followed by an interactive panel that considers the role of digital transformation in strengthening democratic institutions, exploring both opportunities and risks, with Kirsi Verkka, Development Manager of the City of Helsinki and Samet Keskin, Director of the Data and Technology Center and Marmara Municipalities Union (and ALDA Advisory Board member).
After lunch, participants will join a fireside chat on artificial intelligence, democracy, and the future of citizen participation. Afterwards, they will take part in a role-play exercise to design a digital democracy engagement tool, with Denys Tkachov, International and European project developer and Kirsi Verkka.
The end of the day will be dedicated to the exploration of another wonderful city located in the Veneto region, Schio.
September 5, 2025
The final day will open with a keynote speech addressing the wider regional perspectivemade by Clara Volintiru, Regional Director of The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation (BST) (German Marshall Fund), followed by a panel on democratic challenges and responses in the enlargement process. This session will highlight lessons from across Europe and its neighbourhood, and the role of institutions in safeguarding democracy during times of transition. It will be moderated by ALDA’s Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida and the high level speakers will be Senida Mesi, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Albania and Teona Macharashvili, Co-founder Caucasus Open Space and Clara Volintiru. Then, the participants will engage in a two-part simulation exercise on crisis response and institutional resilience, designed and facilitated by CRISP – Crisis Simulation for Peace e.V. specialists in creating simulation games, interactive trainings, and digital civic‐education tools to support non‐violent conflict transformation and participatory learning.
The three-day event will end with a closing ceremony, where certifications to the participants will be given.
This year’s International School will welcome around thirty participants from all over Europe and beyond, each bringing their own stories, ideas, and experiences. Over the three days, they will share perspectives, exchange good practices, and build connections that can easily turn into lasting friendships and collaborations. More than just a programme, the School will be a space for learning together, celebrating community, and imagining and creating stronger, more resilient democracies.
