2026 Season Opening Ceremony
22 January @ 12:00 - 20:30
The Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies is thrilled to invite you to the opening ceremony of the 2026 BrIAS season on Democratic Governance. The evening will feature a pre-ceremony book launch, welcome speeches and a keynote talk, a concert, and finally, a reception.
Click here to register now
Programme
Agenda
- 12:00 – 14:00 Pre-Ceremony Book Launch
Democratic Commitment: Why Citizens Tolerate Democratic Backsliding, Prof. Natasha Wunsch (University of Fribourg), Oxford University Press
Discussant: Prof. Luca Tomini (ULB)
Ceremony
- 16:00 – 16:30 Welcome speeches by BrIAS directors and university authorities
Prof. Em. Frank Deconinck, BrIAS Co-Director
Prof. Serge Jaumain, BrIAS Co-Director
Prof. Marius Gilbert, Vice-Rector for Research and Valorisation and Vice-Rector for Culture and Scientific Mediation, ULB
Prof. Pieter Ballon, Vice-Rector for Research, VUB - 16:30 – 16:45 Introduction to the 2026 BrIAS Theme
Prof. Silvia Erzeel, BrIAS Programme Co-Director
Prof. Jasper Van Assche, BrIAS Programme WP Leader
Camilla Colombo, OHME Co-Director - 16:45 – 17:00 Singing interlude
Sabine Kabongo - 17:00 – 17:45 Opening speech
Sam van der Staak, Director of the Regional Europe Programme, IDEA International - 18:00 Concert
Performance by Simon Vaskou (piano) - 18:30 Reception