Nova School of Business and Economics (Nova SBE) will once again open its doors on October 29 and 30 to a global, inclusive, and wide-ranging dialogue with the 10th edition of the Estoril Conferences.
Under the theme “Reignite Democracy,” this year’s event will bring together world leaders from various sectors at the Nova SBE Carcavelos campus for a reflection aimed at inspiring collective action, individual and shared responsibility, and progress toward strengthening a democracy that prioritizes equality, education, health, and cooperation.
Organized by Nova SBE and NOVA Medical School, with the support of the Cascais City Council (this year designated the European Capital of Democracy 2026) and Turismo de Portugal, the 10th edition of the Estoril Conferences will, one more time, convene civil society, policymakers, global leaders, and especially younger generations for an inspiring debate on how current global challenges can help reignite democracy.
Global Peace, Policy, Health & Preparedness, Education, and Artificial Intelligence and Technology are the five pillars guiding discussions among distinguished national and international speakers.
First confirmed speakers
One of the first confirmed speakers is Venezuelan social activist Jesús Armas, president of Ciudadanía sin Límites, associated with the democratic opposition and the Primero Justicia party. Detained and tortured by Nicolás Maduro’s regime, Jesús Armas has become a symbol of the fight to defend democratic institutions and the rights of Venezuelan citizens. His presence underscores the conference’s commitment to those who directly face the consequences of democratic erosion.
Also confirmed is Helfried Carl, CEO of the European Capital of Democracy and co-founder of The Innovation in Politics Institute. With an extensive diplomatic career serving the Austrian government, including as Ambassador to Slovakia, Helfried Carl is widely recognized as a leading voice in promoting democracy through citizen participation and institutional innovation.
Jenny Romano (Co-founder and CEO of The Newsroom) is also among the confirmed speakers. With a background in technology, she has developed solutions aimed at strengthening information integrity while combating disinformation. Trained as an economist, Jenny Romano supports journalists in researching, validating, and presenting information through the transparent and ethical use of AI tools. She is currently recognized as one of the most influential women in the sector and has received the “She Shapes AI” award.
The Estoril Conferences will also feature Olivier Vandecasteele, founder and director of Protect Humanitarians, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and supporting humanitarian workers. In 2022, he was detained in Iran, where he spent more than a year in particularly adverse conditions and was subjected to mistreatment. This experience inspired the creation of Protect Humanitarians, launched after his release in 2023 with a mission to prioritize the protection and psychological safety of humanitarian workers. Since then, he has created an emergency fund to support NGOs and has promoted global initiatives, providing assistance to professionals in conflict and crisis settings, including Ukraine, Palestine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan.
Karla Soares-Weiser is another confirmed speaker for this 10th edition. CEO of Cochrane since 2025, she focuses on equity, collaboration, and collective impact. She previously served as Editor-in-Chief from 2019 to 2025, leading transformations in evidence synthesis and co-leading the planning of the Evidence Synthesis International Collaborative (ESIC), supported by the Wellcome Trust. With more than 30 years of experience in research, academia, and leadership, Karla Soares-Weiser is a psychiatrist with a master’s degree in Epidemiology in Mental Health and a PhD in Evidence-Based Medicine. Recognized for her work in international partnerships and in reducing health inequalities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, she speaks four languages and has centered her career on promoting equity and collective impact.
Other prominent figures will also attend, including Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (former President of the Portuguese Republic and a widely recognized voice in defending democratic values), Maria Luís Albuquerque (Economist and European Commissioner), Helena Canhão (Secretary of State for Science and Innovation), and Sir Richard Roberts (Nobel Laureate in Medicine, 1993).
“Seventeen years have passed since the first edition of the Estoril Conferences, and this year marks its 10th edition in Cascais, European Capital of Democracy 2026. Over ten editions, the Estoril Conferences have proven that knowledge and dialogue are the most powerful tools to strengthen democracy. At a time when trust in institutions is being tested worldwide, we reaffirm our commitment to being an open space where different ideas meet, where generations come together, and where the right conversation can change the course of events. Reigniting democracy requires exactly this: the courage to question, the openness to listen, and the will to act. That is what we stand for,” said Pedro Oliveira, Dean of Nova SBE.