International Graduate Debate, Call for Applications:
“Democracy is the good management of conflict not the pursuit of consensus.”
26-29 June 2023 | Estoril
Is this for you?
Democracy in Europe: Are you able to critically reflect, not only on the current state of affairs, but also on our fundamental assumptions regarding the concept of Democracy? This debate will suit any student that can creatively and/or convincingly argue their vision for what democracy is and should be today.
Applicants must be studying towards a master’s or doctorate and must be attending a university that is a member of the Europaeum network.
However, we are not able to accept applications for Estoril 2023 from Jagiellonian applicants (you can apply elsewhere). Please see more below*.
The 31st edition of the Estoril political forum—organised by the Institute for Political Studies of the Catholic University of Portugal, Lisbon—marks the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese alliance. The meeting brings together leading policymakers and academics from the US, UK, Portugal and the rest of Europe.
This year’s hosts and guest speakers include: José Manuel Barroso (former Prime Minister of Portugal; former President of the European Commission; Director, IEP-UCP Centre for European Studies, Lisbon); Timothy Garton Ash (Professor of European Studies and Isaiah Berlin Professorial Fellow, St. Antony’s College, Oxford; Senior Fellow, The Hoover Institution, Stanford University); HE Ana Martinho (Ambassador of Portugal).
As usual, the Europaeum will host the ‘Europaeum Special Debate’. This is a public event in the style of an Oxford Union debate. It is led by four Europaeum graduate students, alongside students from the Catholic University of Portugal and Jagiellonian University, each speaking for or against the given proposition, with expert commentators at hand. The event concludes with an open vote on the proposition. The motion to be debated will be: “democracy is the good management of conflict not the pursuit of consensus.”
Successful applicants will have their accommodation, travel and board (including three conference dinners) covered for this three-day conference. They are expected to book their own travel and will be reimbursed during the conference.
To apply, please send a completed application form, CV, reference letter, and a 300 word response to the debate topic:
“Democracy is the good management of conflict not the pursuit of consensus”
To: applications@europaeum.org by Friday 26th May 2023. If your application has been successful, you will be notified on 1 June 2023.
*Please note that Jagiellonian students can take part via a separate scholarship scheme run by the Catholic University, Portugal.
