BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.3.5//EN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:5@charm-eu.eu DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261014 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261015 DTSTAMP:20260612T091940Z URL:https://charm-eu.eu/news-events/events/charm-eu-annual-conference-2026 / SUMMARY:CHARM-EU Annual Conference 2026 DESCRIPTION: \n In an era of accelerating geopolitical\, tec hnological\, and environmental crisis\, what is the anchor that prevents o ur societies from drifting apart? This question lies at the heart of the C HARM-EU Annual Conference 2026. As we face disruptions that test our socia l fabric\, we recognize that true resilience depends on foundational value s—democracy\, trust\, and inclusion. These values underpin resilient soc ieties and enable constructive dialogue and collective action in times of crisis.European University Alliances are uniquely positioned to protect th ese values by serving as long-term\, systemic spaces for democratic learni ng and practice. By integrating innovative governance\, transdisciplinary research\, and deep engagement with our cities and regions\, we are moving beyond traditional education to build sustainable welfare societies. At t he conference\, we will gather to explore how our transnational cooperatio n can act as a platform for co-creation\, ensuring a resilient future for Europe and beyond.Sessions will cover topics such as: Social Entrepreneur shipTransdisciplinarityThe role of alliances in times of crisesDemocratic values in the classroomOpen ScienceDemocracy labsVenue: Astra\, Porthanink atu 3\, Turku\, Finland in an on-site formatHow to arrive: https://share.g oogle/Gm1ISsiOAo11s9cMO Format: On-site with partial live streaming. The morning pannel session will be live streamed on the CHARM-EU YouTube Chann el. The rest of the conference is designed to be attended onsite only.Host of the CHARM-EU Annual Conference 2026: Åbo Akademi University \n \ n Registrations opening soon\n \n PROGRAMME \n Full sp eaker lineup and detailed session abstracts are currently being finalized. Please check back for updates. \n \n \n Morning Sessions \n \n \n \n 8:00 –\; 9:00 Registration &\; Coffee9: 00 –\; 9:15 Opening by Rector Professor Gunilla WidénRector of host university ÅAU\, Professor Gunilla Widén\, welcomes the conference part icipants. 9:15 –\; 9:45 Universities as democratic actors Keynote Sp eech by ÅAU Professor Kimmo Grönlund9:45 –\; 10:45 From Mobility to Democratic resilience: The Role of European University alliancesPanel Ses sionEuropean University alliances are often framed as vehicles for mobilit y and institutional cooperation\, yet their potential role in supporting d emocratic values remains underdeveloped. In a context of growing political fragmentation across Europe\, this panel examines how alliances can move beyond exchange formats such as Erasmus+ and contribute to democratic resi lience. 10:45 –\; 11:15 Coffee Break11:15 –\; 11:30 Energizer11 :30 –\; 12:15 Design processes and initiatives for promoting sust ainability leadership\, civic engagement and inclusive mindset: the REDI NEST Impact Labs Interactive LectureGet inspired by the story of a journe y that transformed the entrepreneurship education for computer science stu dents into an international level interdisciplinary and impactful initia tive: educational methods\, goals\, achievements\, and activities for a s tudent-powered and challenge-based impact lab network for the development of transformative competencies and inclusive mindset. Share your thought s and ideas on creating cross-subject\, cross-faculty and cross-institutio nal learning opportunities that form sustainability leadership and civic e ngagement skills of future changemakers. Lecturer:Dr. Barbara Hegyi (ELTE ) 12:15 –\; 12:30 Group Picture12:30 –\; 13:30 Lunch \n \n \n \n Afternoon Sessions \n \n \n \n 13:30 –\; 15:00 Workshops –\; parallel sessions \n \n Workshop 1 \n \n \n Workshop 2 \n \n \n Workshop 3 \n \n \n Workshop 4 \n \n \n Workshop 5 \n \n \n Workshop 6&\;7 \n \n Social Entrepreneurship: Building Solu tions for Resilient Communities How can we turn academic ideas into tools for societal welfare? This workshop explores the link between innovation and social impact. Participants will work in small groups to “\;pitch ”\; a solution to a local community challenge\, focusing on how entre preneurship can support democratic values like equity and inclusion.  \n How to make your research or teaching methodologies more tr ansdisciplinar?Moving from theory to practice\, this session explores how researchers and teachers can adapt their projects/work on a more transdis ciplinar way of doing things. \n From Inclusion to Resilie nce: European University Alliances in times of crises In recent years\,  universities and alliances have had to respond to different types of crises: social inequalities\, mental health issues\, migration\,  political tensions\, climate-related challenges and increasing mist rust towards institutions.  At the same time\, European University  Alliances are becoming long-term cooperation structures with the  capacity to connect universities\, local stakeholders and communitie s across borders.  This workshop would like to explore a simple q uestion: beyond academic cooperation\, how can alliances connect and support people and communities in times of crisis?  The workshop wou ld also be an opportunity to exchange experiences between alliance s and reflect collectively on what could realistically be develope d together in the future.   \n CHARM-EU Values in the Classroom: Practical Methods   How do we “\;teach”\; democrac y? This session is for educators and students to share tools for bringing CHARM-EU values into the curriculum. We will explore how to facilitate d ifficult conversations and ensure that “\;Challenge-Based Learning 221\; remains rooted in respect and fundamental rights.  \n Open Science Made Simple: Sharing Knowledge for a Stronger Society Op en Science is often seen as a technical hurdle\, but it is a democratic to ol. This workshop provides a “\;starter kit”\; for researchers t o make their work open and transparent. We will discuss the benefits of sh aring data and how it builds public trust in science and democratic instit utions.  \n In the democratic lab: live deliberative exper imentThe results of this experiment (including an analysis based on the  questionnaires) will be presented with the closing remarks in 10-15 minut es.Chair:Isak Vento (ÅAU) \n 15:00 –\; 15:20 Poster S ession –\; One-minute PitchesThe poster session will be a space where members of European University Alliances\, university staff\, students an d external stakeholders can exchange ideas and discuss the posters. Post er presenters will give a minute pitch and then engage in discussions. 15 :20 –\; 16:00 Poster Session &\; Coffee Break 16:00 –\; 16:1 5 Interactive QuizCultural interactive quiz with questions from CHARM-EU universities\, cities\, countries\, traditions\, music\, food\, culture in general\, football\, etc.16:15 –\; 17:00 Closing Remarks \n \n \n \n Evening Programme \n \n \n \n 17 :15 –\; 19:00 Cocktail with musical elements \n \n 8:00 - 9:00 Registration &\; Coffee9:00 - 9:15 Opening by Rector Professor Gu nilla WidénRector of host university ÅAU\, Professor Gunilla Widén\, w elcomes the conference participants. 9:15 - 9:45 Universities as democrat ic actors Keynote Speech by ÅAU Professor Kimmo Grönlund9:45 - 10:45 Fro m Mobility to Democratic resilience: The Role of European University allia ncesPanel SessionEuropean University alliances are often framed as vehicle s for mobility and institutional cooperation\, yet their potential role in supporting democratic values remains underdeveloped. In a context of grow ing political fragmentation across Europe\, this panel examines how allian ces can move beyond exchange formats such as Erasmus+ and contribute to de mocratic resilience. 10:45 - 11:15 Coffee Break11:15 - 11:30 Energizer11: 30 - 12:15 Design processes and initiatives for promoting sustainabili ty leadership\, civic engagement and inclusive mindset: the REDINEST Imp act Labs Interactive LectureGet inspired by the story of a journey that t ransformed the entrepreneurship education for computer science students in to an international level interdisciplinary and impactful initiative: e ducational methods\, goals\, achievements\, and activities for a student-p owered and challenge-based impact lab network for the development of trans formative competencies and inclusive mindset. Share your thoughts and id eas on creating cross-subject\, cross-faculty and cross-institutional lear ning opportunities that form sustainability leadership and civic engagemen t skills of future changemakers. Lecturer:Dr. Barbara Hegyi (ELTE) 12:15 - 12:30 Group Picture12:30 - 13:30 Lunch13:30 - 15:00 Workshops - paralle l sessions \n \n Workshop 1 \n \n \n Workshop 2 \n \n \n Workshop 3 \n \n \n Workshop 4 \n \n \n Worksho p 5 \n \n \n Workshop 6&\;7 \n \n Social Entreprene urship: Building Solutions for Resilient Communities How can we turn acad emic ideas into tools for societal welfare? This workshop explores the lin k between innovation and social impact. Participants will work in small gr oups to “\;pitch”\; a solution to a local community challenge\, focusing on how entrepreneurship can support democratic values like equity and inclusion.  \n How to make your research or teaching methodologies more transdisciplinar?Moving from theory to practice\, this session explores how researchers and teachers can adapt their projects/wor k on a more transdisciplinar way of doing things. \n From Inclusion to Resilience: European University Alliances in times of crises  In recent years\, universities and alliances have had to respond  to different types of crises: social inequalities\, mental health  issues\, migration\, political tensions\, climate-related challenges and increasing mistrust towards institutions.  At the same time\,  European University Alliances are becoming long-term cooperation s tructures with the capacity to connect universities\, local stakeho lders and communities across borders.  This workshop would like to explore a simple question: beyond academic cooperation\, how can al liances connect and support people and communities in times of crisis ?  The workshop would also be an opportunity to exchange experien ces between alliances and reflect collectively on what could reali stically be developed together in the future.   \n CH ARM-EU Values in the Classroom: Practical Methods   How do we “\; teach”\; democracy? This session is for educators and students to sha re tools for bringing CHARM-EU values into the curriculum. We will explore how to facilitate difficult conversations and ensure that “\;Chall enge-Based Learning”\; remains rooted in respect and fundamental ri ghts.  \n Open Science Made Simple: Sharing Knowledge for a Stronger Society Open Science is often seen as a technical hurdle\, but it is a democratic tool. This workshop provides a “\;starter kitR 21\; for researchers to make their work open and transparent. We will disc uss the benefits of sharing data and how it builds public trust in science and democratic institutions.  \n In the democratic lab: l ive deliberative experimentThe results of this experiment (including an a nalysis based on the questionnaires) will be presented with the closing remarks in 10-15 minutes.Chair:Isak Vento (ÅAU) \n Social Entrepr eneurship: Building Solutions for Resilient Communities How can we turn a cademic ideas into tools for societal welfare? This workshop explores the link between innovation and social impact. Participants will work in small groups to "pitch" a solution to a local community challenge\, focusing on how entrepreneurship can support democratic values like equity and inclus ion. How to make your research or teaching methodologies more transdiscip linar?Moving from theory to practice\, this session explores how researche rs and teachers can adapt their projects/work on a more transdisciplinar  way of doing things.From Inclusion to Resilience: European University Al liances in times of crises In recent years\, universities and allianc es have had to respond to different types of crises: social inequ alities\, mental health issues\, migration\, political tensions\, cli mate-related challenges and increasing mistrust towards institutions.   At the same time\, European University Alliances are becoming l ong-term cooperation structures with the capacity to connect unive rsities\, local stakeholders and communities across borders.  This workshop would like to explore a simple question: beyond academic  cooperation\, how can alliances connect and support people and communit ies in times of crisis?  The workshop would also be an opportunit y to exchange experiences between alliances and reflect collectively  on what could realistically be developed together in the future.   CHARM-EU Values in the Classroom: Practical Methods   How do we "t each" democracy? This session is for educators and students to share tools for bringing CHARM-EU values into the curriculum. We will explore how to  facilitate difficult conversations and ensure that "Challenge-Based Lea rning" remains rooted in respect and fundamental rights. Open Science M ade Simple: Sharing Knowledge for a Stronger Society Open Science is ofte n seen as a technical hurdle\, but it is a democratic tool. This workshop provides a "starter kit" for researchers to make their work open and trans parent. We will discuss the benefits of sharing data and how it builds pub lic trust in science and democratic institutions. In the democratic lab: live deliberative experimentThe results of this experiment (including an analysis based on the questionnaires) will be presented with the closing remarks in 10-15 minutes.Chair:Isak Vento (ÅAU)15:00 - 15:20 Poster Sess ion - One-minute PitchesThe poster session will be a space where members o f European University Alliances\, university staff\, students and external stakeholders can exchange ideas and discuss the posters. Poster present ers will give a minute pitch and then engage in discussions. 15:20 - 16:0 0 Poster Session &\; Coffee Break 16:00 - 16:15 Interactive QuizCultur al interactive quiz with questions from CHARM-EU universities\, cities\, countries\, traditions\, music\, food\, culture in general\, football\, et c.16:15 - 17:00 Closing Remarks17:15 - 19:00 Cocktail with musical element s \n \n \n Morning Sessions \n \n \n \n 8:0 0 –\; 9:00 Registration &\; Coffee9:00 –\; 9:15 Opening by Re ctor Professor Gunilla WidénRector of host university ÅAU\, Professor G unilla Widén\, welcomes the conference participants. 9:15 –\; 9:45 Universities as democratic actors Keynote Speech by ÅAU Professor Kimmo G rönlund9:45 –\; 10:45 From Mobility to Democratic resilience: The Ro le of European University alliancesPanel SessionEuropean University allian ces are often framed as vehicles for mobility and institutional cooperatio n\, yet their potential role in supporting democratic values remains under developed. In a context of growing political fragmentation across Europe\, this panel examines how alliances can move beyond exchange formats such a s Erasmus+ and contribute to democratic resilience. 10:45 –\; 11:15 Coffee Break11:15 –\; 11:30 Energizer11:30 –\; 12:15 Design pro cesses and initiatives for promoting sustainability leadership\, civic  engagement and inclusive mindset: the REDINEST Impact Labs Interactive LectureGet inspired by the story of a journey that transformed the entrep reneurship education for computer science students into an international level interdisciplinary and impactful initiative: educational methods\, goals\, achievements\, and activities for a student-powered and challenge- based impact lab network for the development of transformative competenci es and inclusive mindset. Share your thoughts and ideas on creating cross -subject\, cross-faculty and cross-institutional learning opportunities th at form sustainability leadership and civic engagement skills of future ch angemakers. Lecturer:Dr. Barbara Hegyi (ELTE) 12:15 –\; 12:30 Group Picture12:30 –\; 13:30 Lunch \n \n \n \n Aft ernoon Sessions \n \n \n \n 13:30 –\; 15:00 Workshop s –\; parallel sessions \n \n Workshop 1 \n \n \n Workshop 2 \n \n \n Workshop 3 \n \n \n Workshop 4 \n \n \n Workshop 5 \n \n \n Workshop 6&\;7 \n \n Social Entrepreneurship: Building Solutions for Resilient Communiti es How can we turn academic ideas into tools for societal welfare? This w orkshop explores the link between innovation and social impact. Participan ts will work in small groups to “\;pitch”\; a solution to a loca l community challenge\, focusing on how entrepreneurship can support democ ratic values like equity and inclusion.  \n How to make yo ur research or teaching methodologies more transdisciplinar?Moving from th eory to practice\, this session explores how researchers and teachers can adapt their projects/work on a more transdisciplinar way of doing things . \n From Inclusion to Resilience: European University Alli ances in times of crises In recent years\, universities and alliances have had to respond to different types of crises: social inequal ities\, mental health issues\, migration\, political tensions\, clima te-related challenges and increasing mistrust towards institutions.   At the same time\, European University Alliances are becoming lon g-term cooperation structures with the capacity to connect univers ities\, local stakeholders and communities across borders.  This wo rkshop would like to explore a simple question: beyond academic co operation\, how can alliances connect and support people and communitie s in times of crisis?  The workshop would also be an opportunity  to exchange experiences between alliances and reflect collectively  on what could realistically be developed together in the future.    \n CHARM-EU Values in the Classroom: Practical Method s   How do we “\;teach”\; democracy? This session is for educ ators and students to share tools for bringing CHARM-EU values into the cu rriculum. We will explore how to facilitate difficult conversations and ensure that “\;Challenge-Based Learning”\; remains rooted in r espect and fundamental rights.  \n Open Science Made Simpl e: Sharing Knowledge for a Stronger Society Open Science is often seen as a technical hurdle\, but it is a democratic tool. This workshop provides a “\;starter kit”\; for researchers to make their work open and transparent. We will discuss the benefits of sharing data and how it build s public trust in science and democratic institutions.  \n In the democratic lab: live deliberative experimentThe results of this ex periment (including an analysis based on the questionnaires) will be pr esented with the closing remarks in 10-15 minutes.Chair:Isak Vento (ÅAU) \n 15:00 –\; 15:20 Poster Session –\; One-minute PitchesThe poster session will be a space where members of European Univer sity Alliances\, university staff\, students and external stakeholders can exchange ideas and discuss the posters. Poster presenters will give a m inute pitch and then engage in discussions. 15:20 –\; 16:00 Poster S ession &\; Coffee Break 16:00 –\; 16:15 Interactive QuizCultural interactive quiz with questions from CHARM-EU universities\, cities\, cou ntries\, traditions\, music\, food\, culture in general\, football\, etc.1 6:15 –\; 17:00 Closing Remarks \n \n \n \n Ev ening Programme \n \n \n \n 17:15 –\; 19:00 Cocktail with musical elements \n \n 8:00 - 9:00 Registration &\; C offee9:00 - 9:15 Opening by Rector Professor Gunilla WidénRector of host university ÅAU\, Professor Gunilla Widén\, welcomes the conference part icipants. 9:15 - 9:45 Universities as democratic actors Keynote Speech by ÅAU Professor Kimmo Grönlund9:45 - 10:45 From Mobility to Democratic re silience: The Role of European University alliancesPanel SessionEuropean U niversity alliances are often framed as vehicles for mobility and institut ional cooperation\, yet their potential role in supporting democratic valu es remains underdeveloped. In a context of growing political fragmentation across Europe\, this panel examines how alliances can move beyond exchang e formats such as Erasmus+ and contribute to democratic resilience. 10:45 - 11:15 Coffee Break11:15 - 11:30 Energizer11:30 - 12:15 Design processe s and initiatives for promoting sustainability leadership\, civic enga gement and inclusive mindset: the REDINEST Impact Labs Interactive Lectu reGet inspired by the story of a journey that transformed the entrepreneur ship education for computer science students into an international level  interdisciplinary and impactful initiative: educational methods\, goals \, achievements\, and activities for a student-powered and challenge-based impact lab network for the development of transformative competencies an d inclusive mindset. Share your thoughts and ideas on creating cross-subj ect\, cross-faculty and cross-institutional learning opportunities that fo rm sustainability leadership and civic engagement skills of future changem akers. Lecturer:Dr. Barbara Hegyi (ELTE) 12:15 - 12:30 Group Picture12:3 0 - 13:30 Lunch13:30 - 15:00 Workshops - parallel sessions \n \n W orkshop 1 \n \n \n Workshop 2 \n \n \n Workshop 3 \n \n \n Workshop 4 \n \n \n Workshop 5 \n \n \n Work shop 6&\;7 \n \n Social Entrepreneurship: Building Solutions for Resilient Communities How can we turn academic ideas into tools for societal welfare? This workshop explores the link between innovation and s ocial impact. Participants will work in small groups to “\;pitch̶ 1\; a solution to a local community challenge\, focusing on how entreprene urship can support democratic values like equity and inclusion.  \ n How to make your research or teaching methodologies more transdi sciplinar?Moving from theory to practice\, this session explores how resea rchers and teachers can adapt their projects/work on a more transdiscipli nar way of doing things. \n From Inclusion to Resilience: European University Alliances in times of crises In recent years\, uni versities and alliances have had to respond to different types of  crises: social inequalities\, mental health issues\, migration\, poli tical tensions\, climate-related challenges and increasing mistrust  towards institutions.  At the same time\, European University Alli ances are becoming long-term cooperation structures with the capaci ty to connect universities\, local stakeholders and communities acr oss borders.  This workshop would like to explore a simple questio n: beyond academic cooperation\, how can alliances connect and suppor t people and communities in times of crisis?  The workshop would al so be an opportunity to exchange experiences between alliances and  reflect collectively on what could realistically be developed to gether in the future.   \n CHARM-EU Values in the Class room: Practical Methods   How do we “\;teach”\; democracy? Th is session is for educators and students to share tools for bringing CHARM -EU values into the curriculum. We will explore how to facilitate diffic ult conversations and ensure that “\;Challenge-Based Learning”\;  remains rooted in respect and fundamental rights.  \n O pen Science Made Simple: Sharing Knowledge for a Stronger Society Open Sc ience is often seen as a technical hurdle\, but it is a democratic tool. T his workshop provides a “\;starter kit”\; for researchers to mak e their work open and transparent. We will discuss the benefits of sharing data and how it builds public trust in science and democratic institution s.  \n In the democratic lab: live deliberative experiment The results of this experiment (including an analysis based on the quest ionnaires) will be presented with the closing remarks in 10-15 minutes.Ch air:Isak Vento (ÅAU) \n Social Entrepreneurship: Building Solutio ns for Resilient Communities How can we turn academic ideas into tools fo r societal welfare? This workshop explores the link between innovation and social impact. Participants will work in small groups to "pitch" a soluti on to a local community challenge\, focusing on how entrepreneurship can s upport democratic values like equity and inclusion. How to make your rese arch or teaching methodologies more transdisciplinar?Moving from theory to practice\, this session explores how researchers and teachers can adapt t heir projects/work on a more transdisciplinar way of doing things.From I nclusion to Resilience: European University Alliances in times of crises  In recent years\, universities and alliances have had to respond t o different types of crises: social inequalities\, mental health is sues\, migration\, political tensions\, climate-related challenges and  increasing mistrust towards institutions.  At the same time\, Eu ropean University Alliances are becoming long-term cooperation struc tures with the capacity to connect universities\, local stakeholder s and communities across borders.  This workshop would like to exp lore a simple question: beyond academic cooperation\, how can allian ces connect and support people and communities in times of crisis?   The workshop would also be an opportunity to exchange experiences  between alliances and reflect collectively on what could realisti cally be developed together in the future.  CHARM-EU Values in the Classroom: Practical Methods   How do we "teach" democracy? This sessio n is for educators and students to share tools for bringing CHARM-EU value s into the curriculum. We will explore how to facilitate difficult conve rsations and ensure that "Challenge-Based Learning" remains rooted in re spect and fundamental rights. Open Science Made Simple: Sharing Knowledge for a Stronger Society Open Science is often seen as a technical hurdle\ , but it is a democratic tool. This workshop provides a "starter kit" for researchers to make their work open and transparent. We will discuss the b enefits of sharing data and how it builds public trust in science and demo cratic institutions. In the democratic lab: live deliberative experimentT he results of this experiment (including an analysis based on the questi onnaires) will be presented with the closing remarks in 10-15 minutes.Cha ir:Isak Vento (ÅAU)15:00 - 15:20 Poster Session - One-minute PitchesThe p oster session will be a space where members of European University Allianc es\, university staff\, students and external stakeholders can exchange id eas and discuss the posters. Poster presenters will give a minute pitch and then engage in discussions. 15:20 - 16:00 Poster Session &\; Coffe e Break 16:00 - 16:15 Interactive QuizCultural interactive quiz with que stions from CHARM-EU universities\, cities\, countries\, traditions\, musi c\, food\, culture in general\, football\, etc.16:15 - 17:00 Closing Remar ks17:15 - 19:00 Cocktail with musical elements CATEGORIES:CHARM event,Governance,Research,Teaching LOCATION:University of Porto\, Porto\, X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Porto\, ;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100 ;X-TITLE=University of Porto:geo:0,0 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR