New Paths to Democracy: Cultural Participation as an Instrument of Democratic Resilience

November 6-7, 2025 | Französische Friedrichstadtkirche & Allianz Forum, Berlin

Conference Program:

Please note that the program is subject to changes.

English version below

Die Stiftung Zukunft Berlin lädt Sie in Zusammenarbeit mit ihrer zivilgesellschaftlichen Initiative A Soul for Europe, der European Festivals Association und der Evangelischen Akademie zu Berlin herzlich zur zweitägigen Berlin Conference 2025 am 6. November in der Französischen Friedrichstadtkirche und am 7. November im Allianz Forum in Berlin ein. Seit mehr als zwei Jahrzehnten bringt die Berlin Conference führende Persönlichkeiten aus Kunst, Politik und Zivilgesellschaft am Brandenburger Tor zusammen, stets rund um das symbolträchtige Datum des 9. November. Im Jahr 2025 setzen wir diese Tradition fort, in einer Zeit, in der Demokratie und sozialer Zusammenhalt besonders unter Druck stehen.

Die diesjährige Konferenz widmet sich den Spannungsfeldern und Ambivalenzen von Demokratie und Kultur sowie der Frage, wie kulturelle Teilhabe zur Stärkung demokratischer Resilienz beitragen kann. Denn Europa steht vor der dringenden Aufgabe, auf die Herausforderungen einer polarisierten und gespaltenen Welt zu reagieren. Den jeweils unterschiedlichen Verantwortlichkeiten der Städte und Regionen, nationalen Regierungen und EU-Institutionen steht die bürgerschaftliche Mitverantwortung gegenüber. Gemeinsam wollen wir uns die Frage stellen, wie wir die Kraft der Kunst und Kultur nutzen, um eine Seele für Europa zu formen und neue Wege zur Demokratie zu eröffnen. In Keynotes, Debatten und Workshops laden wir Künstlerinnen, politische Entscheidungsträgerinnen und Akteure der Zivilgesellschaft ein, zu reflektieren, sich auszutauschen und gemeinsam zu gestalten – mit dem Ziel, politische Entscheidungsträger*innen einzubeziehen, sich mit den Ergebnissen auseinanderzusetzen und gemeinsam Wege zu finden, wie diese in konkretes politisches Handeln übersetzt werden können. 

Was erwartet Sie?

• Intensive Debatten, kritische Perspektiven und ein Programm, das vielfältige Beteiligung ebenso erlaubt wie erfordert: Unterschiedliche Kooperationsformate für gemeinsame Gestaltung, Beteiligung und Austausch.
• Zivilgesellschaftliches Networking mit internationaler Perspektive: Stimmen, Initiativen und Netzwerke aus ganz Europa.
• Von der Idee zur Umsetzung: Gemeinsam entwickeln wir aus verschiedenen Demokratieverständnissen kreative Ansätze, die echte Wirkung entfalten.
• Symbolträchtige Orte: In der Französischen Friedrichstadtkirche am Gendarmenmarkt, im Allianz Forum am Brandenburger Tor und beim Abendempfang in der Polnischen Botschaft.

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The Stiftung Zukunft Berlin in cooperation with its civil society initiative A Soul for Europe, the European Festivals Association, and the Evangelische Akademie zu Berlin warmly invite you to the two-days Berlin Conference 2025 on November 6 at the Französische Friedrichstadtkirche and November 7 at the Allianz Forum in Berlin. For more than two decades, the Berlin Conference has brought together leading voices from the arts, politics, and civil society in the heart of Berlin, always around the highly symbolic date of November 9. In 2025, we continue this tradition at a time when democracy and social cohesion are under renewed pressure.

This year’s conference will focus on the tensions and ambivalences of democracy and culture, as well as the question of how cultural participation can contribute to strengthening democratic resilience. Europe faces the urgent task of responding to the challenges of a polarized and divided world. The different responsibilities of cities and regions, national governments, and EU institutions are accompanied by a shared civic responsibility. Together, we want to explore how we can harness the power of art and culture to shape a Soul for Europe and open up new paths to democracy. In keynotes, debates, and workshops, we invite artists, policymakers, and civil society actors to reflect, exchange ideas, and shape the future together – with the aim of involving policymakers, discussing the results, and finding ways to translate them into concrete political action.

What to expect?

• Intensive exchange, critical perspectives, and a program that both allows and requires diverse participation: join the conversation in a variety of collaborative formats for joint creation, participation, and exchange.
• Civil society networking with international perspectives: Connect with voices, initiatives, and networks from across Europe.
• From ideas to action: Reflect on diverse understandings of democracy and develop creative strategies that lead to real impact.
• A symbolic and inspiring setting: Join us at the Französische Friedrichstadtkirche on Gendarmenmarkt, at the Allianz Forum next to Brandenburg Gate and for the evening reception at the Polish Embassy.

Registration:

Registration has closed on October 28.

Organizational Information:

Venues

Day 1: Französische Friedrichstadtkirche, Gendarmenmarkt 5, 10117 Berlin
Day 2: Allianz Forum, Pariser Platz 6, 10117 Berlin & Polish Embassy, Unter den Linden 70-72, 10117 Berlin

All venues are well connected by public transport. Please note that the conference is unable to cover travel or accommodation costs.

Language

The main working language of the Berlin Conference is English. Interpretation into German, French, Polish and Ukrainian will be provided for all sessions except for the workshops. Please bring your own smartphone and headphones to use the interpretation service.

Catering

The program includes coffee breaks and a light meal on the second day. Vegetarian and vegan options will be available.

Accessibility

All venues are wheelchair accessible and equipped with barrier-free restrooms. If you require further assistance or have specific needs, please contact us in advance.

Accessibility

All venues are wheelchair accessible and equipped with barrier-free restrooms. If you require further assistance or have specific needs, please contact us in advance.

Code of Conduct

Our Values

At Stiftung Zukunft Berlin (SZB), at the civil society initiative A Soul for Europe (ASfE), at the European Festival Association (EFA) and at the Evangelical Academy of Berlin (EAzB), we believe that active civic responsibility is vital to democracy. We view democracy as a way of life, practiced through daily actions, from local decision-making to public discourse. Through our events, we aim to inspire this civic engagement. We uphold an open, fair discourse and expect the same from all participants at our events. Healthy debate is encouraged, but the dignity of all must always be respected. We strongly oppose hate speech, echo chambers, fake news, and alternative facts. These behaviors will not be tolerated, and we reserve the right to end discussions if necessary.

Inclusivity

The Stiftung Zukunft Berlin invites everyone to participate, regardless of origin, religion, or status. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination, and anti-democratic or nationalist rhetoric is not accepted. We support the right to sexual self-determination and reject any racist, sexist, or exclusionary behaviors.

Event Conduct

The Berlin Conference 2025 is a private event, bringing together invited participants. All attendees are expected to maintain respectful dialogue. Discriminatory comments and actions, sexualized violence, non-consensual contact, and unwanted remarks will not be tolerated. If you encounter any issues or feel unsafe, please contact the event organizers, who can be found at the registration desk or the information point.

De-escalation and Support

Rules will be communicated clearly throughout the venue. Participants who do not follow the rules may be asked to leave. Our team is available at the entrance and information point to provide support, and we will prioritize the well-being of affected individuals. Misconduct will be addressed promptly.

Contact

Laura Urbanek:  urbanek@stiftungzukunftberlin.eu
Frithjof Paulsen: paulsen@stiftungzukunftberlin.eu
Marina Milic: milic@stiftungzukunftberlin.eu