This year’s edition of the conference will focus on the theme ‘Rebuilt’, exploring how to rebuild healthy, flourishing societies after division and destruction.

In his recent Encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV wrote about the story of Nehemiah overseeing the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem after its destruction, and the importance of how the nation worked together to rebuild the wall:

​“All are given their own section of the wall: scientists and researchers, entrepreneurs and workers, educators and legislators, civil society, popular movements and faith communities. This is the logic of subsidiarity, which values the cooperation between generations, peoples, disciplines and cultures as the best way for fostering stability, prosperity and peace. We should not be intimidated by tensions or differences because they can become creative forces when guided by shared responsibility.”

Our program will help participants answer the question: what is my part of the wall and what is my role in rebuilding it?

We will engage with these questions and many more as we hear from speakers who range from elected politicians to scholars to community activists, as well as through small groups discussions and conversations over meals and exploring vibrant and historic downtown Thessaloniki together.

​Program

Speakers will include politicians from local and national levels of government from different parts of Europe, community activists, journalists, and academics. We will have a full program of presentations by speakers and small group discussions in the morning, followed by several hours of free time for exploring the waterfront, historical sites, museums and cafes of downtown Thessaloniki. Shortly before dinner we will regather to continue the morning discussions, and after dinner we will have a more informal session.

​​Who is invited?

​​Students and professionals from various spheres with an interest in the topic are invited to attend. Because we believe that all of parts of society have a part in rebuilding, this conference is not just about and for politicians. We hope that we may, in fact, counter the helplessness and disillusionment many experience as a result of the current political climate, which then leads them to disengagement. Instead we want to present a vision for healthy, productive political engagement based on our core values, and for participants to leave feeling empowered to contribute to rebuilding their communities.

​​​​If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at events@ecpp.eu or rom@forumlr.org.