Global Democracy Conferences
The Global Democracy Conference, hosted by the Kellogg Institute at Notre Dame, convenes scholars, policymakers, and activists to address urgent challenges to democracy. As part of the Democracy Initiative, it bridges research and practice to advance strategies for strengthening democratic governance.
Launched in 2024 as an integral component of Notre Dame’s Democracy Initiative, the Global Democracy Conference (GDC) serves as both a convening space for new ideas and a bridge between academic research and real-world action. Each year, the conference brings fresh perspectives to enduring challenges, combining comparative insights with practical strategies to strengthen democratic governance. The conference’s ultimate goal is to improve the collective ability of democracy-focused actors everywhere to understand and address democratic decline.
Each conference features keynote presentations with distinguished scholars and world leaders, plenary roundtables featuring conversations among academics and practitioners on the experiences of different countries, and invited sessions organized by the Kellogg Institute’s partners that provide deeper dives on both academic innovations, as well as concrete pathways to action.
Past and Upcoming Conferences
-
2026: Confronting Public Support for Anti-Democratic Leaders
Building on previous years, GDC 2026 will tackle the challenge of shifting public opinion and mobilizing sustained electoral majorities in support of democracy.
Event Page
-
2025: Executive Power and Democratic Backsliding
Scholars and practitioners examined how elected leaders undermine institutions from within – and how to effectively resist executive aggrandizement.
Event Page
Conference Briefs
-
2024: Understanding Today, Shaping Tomorrow
The inaugural GDC focused on emerging threats to democracy, highlighting new research and convening global actors to lay the groundwork for impactful collaborations.
Event Page
Conference Report