Academic collaboration and dialogue with civil society served as the foundation for a unique event held on the Polish-German border recently. On April 23–24, 2026, the international conference "Doing Democracy: Connecting Academia and Civil Society Across Borders" took place in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany and Słubice, Poland. The event was co-organized by SWPS University (USWPS) and the European University Viadrina (EUV).
Good Neighborly Relations and Friendly Cooperation
The "Doing Democracy" conference, organized under the auspices of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), in collaboration with the University of the Aegean (Greece), received funding from several institutions, including the Ministry of Finance and Europe of the State of Brandenburg and the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation. The event centered on critical questions regarding the resilience of modern democracy, as well as the challenges and threats it faces in an era of disinformation.
The initiative was part of the celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between Poland and Germany. The venue provided a unique dimension to the meeting, with sessions hosted on both sides of the Oder River. This arrangement offered participants a firsthand perspective on cross-border cooperation, allowing them to directly compare the urban dynamics and operational frameworks of both cities.
Opening session of the "Doing Democracy" Conference
Students present their findings during a workshop at the Conference
Q&A session during the "Doing Democracy" Conference
Q&A session during the "Doing Democracy" Conference
The State of Modern Democracy
The debate on the state and resilience of modern democracy featured several distinguished experts:
- Professor Radosław Markowski – Political scientist specializing in electoral behavior research, Center for the Study of Democracy, SWPS University
- Professor Gesine Schwan – Political scientist, former Rector of EUV, and former candidate for the office of President of Germany, who has been involved in Polish-German dialogue for many years
- Dr. Anne Holper – Co-Head Center for Peace Mediation, Institute for Conflict Management, European University Viadrina
- Dr. Anja Hennig – Institute for European Studies, European University Viadrina
- Krzysztof Izdebski – Stefan Batory Foundation
Alongside established researchers, members of SWPS University’s Public Life Student Research Club (Michał Grzębowski, Zofia Kwiatkowska, Zofia Ekiert, and Maria Zarzecka) actively participated in the conference. Additionally, doctoral student Artur Koldomasov served as a co-organizer and moderated the "Future Lab" panel.
From the left: Prof. Radosław Markowski (USWPS), Dr. Anja Henning (EUV), Prof. Gesine Schwan
Students and academics discuss the state of democracy during conference workshop
A workshop during the "Doing Democracy" conference
Poster dispaly at the "Doing Democracy" conference
Students attend a workshop during the "Doing Democracy" conference
Hands-on experience
A key element of the conference was its workshop-based format, which involved working in international thematic groups. Representatives from SWPS University engaged in analyzing challenges within the following areas:
- Youth and civic education in the era of media disinformation
- Strengthening dialogue and local participation
- Strategies for combating hate speech and right-wing extremism
Findings from these collaborative workshops were showcased during the "Future Lab" panel, where participants presented targeted recommendations designed to address contemporary socio-political realities.
One of the most interesting aspects of this trip for me was the experience of the location itself—the chance to see two cities operating on opposite sides of the border and compare them in practice. I also deeply appreciated the lack of artificial distance between professors and students. Another fascinating element was the bilingual organization of the conference; being able to speak in one’s native language while having it translated made communication feel more natural and accessible.
Michał Grzębowski
Chair of the Public Life Student Research Club, SWPS University
Skills for the Future
Attending the conference allowed participants to build international skills, gain experience working across different sectors, and take an active part in the European conversation about the future of democracy.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the EUV team for their hard work in fostering such a vibrant and meaningful exchange of ideas. The high organizational standards and the genuine commitment to inclusivity were truly impressive.
It was also wonderful to see SWPS University students take such an active role in the event. The conference served as an excellent networking platform, connecting us with NGO representatives from both Poland and Germany. Engaging directly with public policy practitioners provided invaluable insight into the challenges facing civil society today and paved the way for future partnerships.
SWPS University’s dedication to these types of initiatives sets it apart. By engaging in international, cross-sector projects like this, the university proves that it doesn't just analyze the world—it actively helps shape it.
Artur Koldomasov
Doctoral student, Center for the Study of Democracy, SWPS University
Doing Democracy Conference
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