22 – 26 November
Universities for democracy
Democracy is not a static achievement; it is a living practice that must be renewed, defended and reimagined by every generation. The crisis of the liberal international order, the spread of disinformation, the proliferation of authoritarian politics and the rise of geopolitical tensions call on universities to take on a role that goes far beyond teaching and research: that of active custodians of democratic life.
This is the spirit behind Universities for Democracy, the theme chosen for the 2026 EUTOPIA Week hosted by Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. Over the course of the week, students, researchers and staff from across the EUTOPIA alliance will come together to explore what it means for a university – as an institution and a community – to stand for democratic values in the twenty-first century.
Universities have long been spaces where ideas are tested, contested and refined through open dialogue and rigorous inquiry. That role has never felt more urgent. In a world where facts are increasingly called into question and civic trust is under strain, the university’s commitment to free inquiry, critical thinking and evidence-based debate is itself a democratic act. EUTOPIA Week 2026 will ask how our universities can strengthen this role: through the way we teach, the partnerships we build with our surrounding communities, and the values we choose to embody in our daily academic life.
A central strand of the Education Forum will address “Democracy, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities,” while the Research Days will focus on knowledge security— an issue that sits at the crossroads of academic freedom, international collaboration and institutional resilience. As teaching and research become ever more global and interconnected, universities must find ways to protect the integrity and openness of knowledge production while remaining vigilant against interference, misuse and undue influence. Far from being a narrow technical concern, knowledge security is a democratic one: it is about safeguarding the conditions under which free and trustworthy knowledge can continue to flourish.
Across panels, workshops and informal conversations, EUTOPIA Week 2026 invites participants to move beyond diagnosis and towards action – exchanging concrete practices, forging new collaborations and reaffirming a common commitment: that universities are not neutral bystanders to the health of our democracies, but active participants in sustaining them.
We look forward to welcoming the EUTOPIA community to Barcelona for a week of open exchange, critical reflection and collective purpose”. Josep Ibañez, Commissioner for Eutopia and International Programmes
Pompeu Fabra University
Discover the history of the university and its investment in the EUTOPIA Alliance
EUTOPIA Week Programme
Speakers at the ceremony
Meet the two speakers of the EUTOPIA Week 2026 Opening Ceremony
Useful Information:
Please find below the addresses of all the campuses of Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
Please note that EUTOPIA Week 2026 will take place at the Campus de la Ciutadella. If you would like to visit the Campus del Poblenou, a campus tour is scheduled as part of the programme.
- Campus de la Ciutadella de la UPF, Ramon Trias Fargas, 25-27 08005 Barcelona (Spain)
- Campus del Poblenou de la UPF, Roc Boronat, 138 08018 Barcelona (Spain)
- Campus del Mar de la UPF, Doctor Aiguader, 80 08003 Barcelona (Spain)
Find all the transport options you may need during EUTOPIA Week, including how to travel from Barcelona Airport to the UPF campuses and how to get around the city.
Visit Barcelona
Take the opportunity to explore Barcelona during your stay. From its historic neighbourhoods and architecture to its beaches, museums and vibrant food scene, the city offers plenty to discover alongside EUTOPIA Week.
If you have questions regarding the event, please, contact to eutopia@upf.edu
