100th Anniversary of the Congress of European Nationalities
This experts’ meeting will commemorate the centenary of one of the early meetings of the Congress of European Nationalities, that brought together representatives of national minorities and peoples without states to advance collective rights, dialogue, and conflict prevention.
A century later, while some legal protections exist, these have not provided the degree of legal protection expected. In addition, a significant gap between legal safeguards and political representation also remains. This event will revisit the legacy of the 1926 Congress and open a discussion on collective rights and self-determination in today’s multilateral landscape.
Program
9 October 2026
Registration
Welcome words
- Sébastien Farré, Executive Director of Maison de l’histoire, University of Geneva
- Alfonso Gómez, Member of the City Council of the City of Geneva, Mayor 2023 – 2024 and 2025-2026 (TBC)
- Antonia Luciani, President of Coppieters Foundation
Keynote
- Nicolas Levrat, UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues
Roundtable 1 - History of the Congress of European Nationalities and National recognition in a historical perspective
- Xosé M. Núñez Seixas, Professor of Modern History, University of Santiago de Compostela
- Kas Swerts, Lecturer at KU Leuven and researcher at ADVN | Archive for National Movements
Presentations by representatives of diverse European Nationalities
Lunch break
Roundtable 2 - The evolution of the right to self-determination of peoples from a global governance perspective
- Fernand de Varennes, Expert on human rights and international law
- Anwen Elias, Reader in Politics at the Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University
Moderated by Sandrina Antunes, Research Center in Political Science (CIPC), Universidade do Minho, Portugal
Presentations by representatives of diverse European Nationalities
Final remarks
Practicalities:
When: Friday 9 October 2026 from 9h to 17h
Where: University of Geneva, Salle 1, 66 Boulevard Carl-Vogt, 1205 Geneva
Language:
The event will be held in English
Program:
Please find here the program of the event.
Press:
Media inquiries can be addressed to info@coppietersfoundation.eu
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This event is an initiative of Coppieters Foundation with the collaboration of the Masion de l’histoire of the University of Geneva and Sine Qua Non.
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This event is is financially supported by the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not liable for the content of the event nor for the opinions of the speakers.
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