Culture, Civil Society and the Future of Democracy

Overview

Convening every three years since 2008, the Transatlantic Dialogue Conference brings together scholars, artists, educators, students, policymakers, and cultural leaders from across Europe and North America to share ideas, foster understanding and explore emerging social, cultural, and political challenges. A distinctive feature of the Transatlantic Dialogue Conference is the disciplinary and creative breadth of its conference program, facilitating exchanges across a broad spectrum of divergent perspectives. Each Conference features an array of artistic and cultural performances and other creative explorations of conference themes as well as panels, roundtables, poster sessions and talks.

The Seventh Transatlantic Dialogue Conference, to be held on May 26-27, 2027 in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg, will explore key questions about the roles and contributions of culture and civil society in contemporary democracy:

• How can culture and civil society best fulfill their essential democratic role(s)?
• How can individuals, leaders and institutions effectively foster collaboration and dialogue across cultural, social, and political lines?
• How can we best address contemporary challenges to democratic life through civic engagement, cultural diplomacy, education, and other forms of cross-cultural discourse?

Presentations at the 2027 Dialogue — including posters, research talks, roundtables, interactive discussions, workshops and creative exhibitions/performances — will address the following major themes:

• Civic engagement: Exploring innovative practices that empower individuals and communities and enhance democratic participation
• Arts and cultural practices: Examining the roles, functions and implications of creative arts and other forms of cultural expression in shaping public discourse and sustaining democratic values
• Policy and governance: Investigating how civil society and/or cultural actors seek to influence public policy and the promotion of democratic values
• Technology and innovation: Probing the impact and implications of technological transformation on socioeconomic life and culture
• Social opportunities: Addressing the sources, impacts and/or implications of social, economic, or political inequality
• Education: Reflecting on the roles and practices of formal and non-formal education in fostering a culture of civic participation
• History and geography: Exploring how history and geography differentially shape opportunities for meaningful democratic engagement

Proposals for individual or group presentations are currently being accepted via this website (click here). To ensure full consideration, all proposals must be submitted by December 31, 2026. Presenters will be notified of acceptance on a rolling basis beginning in January 2027.

All participants in the May 2027 conference will be invited to attend the Awards Ceremony for the 2027 Luxembourg Peace Prize, presented each year by the Schengen Peace Foundation and the World Peace Forum to honor outstanding contributions to the fostering of peace. The ceremony will be held in Luxembourg City on May 28, 2027.

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Started initially as a collaboration between the University of Luxembourg and Miami University (Ohio, USA), the Transatlantic Dialogue Conference has taken place in Luxembourg every three years since 2008:

• First Conference: “Putting Students at the Center” (May 2008)
• Second Conference: “Living Culture in the University: Developing Citizens of the World” (May 2011)
• Third Conference: “Connecting Through Culture: A Vision for Global Leadership” (May 2014)
• Fourth Conference: “Creating Human Bonds Through Cultural Diplomacy” (May 2017)
• Fifth Conference: “Reimagining The Tower of Babel: Languages, Cultures, Cultural Diplomacy and World Peace” (May 2020) – held virtually
• Sixth Conference: “Soft Power in Uncertain Times: Building Bridges for Culture, Diplomacy, Peace, Trust & Compassionate Leadership in an Ongoing Changing World” (May 2024)

Co-Chairs

• Dilchoda Berdieva, Miami University (USA)
• John Forren, Miami University (USA)

Organizing Committee Members

• Ashley Brown, Emory University (USA)
• François Carbon, University of Luxembourg (Luxembourg) and European Cultural Parliament
• Flora Carrijn, KU Leuven (Belgium)
• Harvey Charles, State University of New York at Albany (USA)
• Wim Coudenys, University of Leuven (Belgium)
• Dennis Gregory, Old Dominion University (USA)
• Robert Harmsen, University of Luxembourg (Luxembourg)
• James Ketterer, Bard College (USA)
• Judith McKimm, European Cultural Parliament
• Nour Salah, Founder, Art Breath
• Stephanie Shaheen, Miami University Dolibois European Center (Luxembourg)
• Jamie Trnka, Ph.D., Xavier University (USA)
• Bruno Von Lutz, Science4School (Germany)
• Michele Welkener, University of Dayton (USA)
• Witold Wolny, University of the Pacific (USA)
• Cheryl Young, Global Initiatives, Miami University (USA)