In a time marked by increasing diversity and polarization across Europe, the conference creates a space for meaningful exchange on how interfaith and interconvictional dialogue can contribute to democratic resilience, social cohesion, and inclusive governance. The event combines reflection and action: participants will explore real-world challenges, share practical experiences, and work together on concrete policy recommendations.

Structured around keynote inputs, interactive roundtables, and thematic working groups, the conference focuses on three core questions:
How can dialogue contribute to peacebuilding and democracy?
What governance challenges and opportunities arise across different contexts?
Which practices successfully foster inclusive and participatory societies?

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Agenda – 22 April 2026 (Milan, Italy)

09:00 – 09:30
Welcome and informal networking

09:30 – 09:50
Institutional opening
• Marco Boaria – Executive Director and Deputy Secretary General of ALDA
• Elena Buscemi – Chair of the Milan City Council
• Antonella Sberna – Vice President of the European Parliament (video message)
• Mustafa Roma – Secretary General COREIS

09:50 – 10:00
Overview of the project “Bridging Beliefs” – ALDA

10:00 – 10:30
Keynote speech: Interfaith and interconvictional dialogue in Europe – where do we stand?
• Vincent Depaigne – European Commission (Article 17 Dialogue) (online)
• Teresa Albano – The International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID)

10:30 – 11:30
Interactive Roundtable 1:
The role of interfaith and interconvictional dialogue and cooperation in fostering peace education and democracy
• Carlo Luyckx – EBU Vice President
• Imam Yahya Pallavicini – COREIS
• Rabbi Alfonso Arbib – TBC
• Bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā – UC Berkeley
• Don Pietro Lorenzo Maggioni – Seminary of Milan

11:30 – 12:00
Coffee break

12:00 – 13:00
Interactive Roundtable 2:
Governance challenges and opportunities: from global to local perspectives
• Carlo Luyckx – EBU Vice President
• Amina Croce – Muslim Jewish Leadership Council
• Benedetto Zacchiroli – European Coalition of Cities Against Racism
• Eirini Mastora – Equal Society
• Mirela Despotović – ZAMAH Foundation

13:00 – 14:15
Lunch break

14:15 – 15:15
Interactive Roundtable 3:
Governance for democratic decision-making and inclusive civil spaces: good practices and policies
• Anna Scavuzzo – Vice Mayor of Milan
• Livia Ottolenghi – Union of Italian Jewish Communities (TBC)
• Representative of Municipality of Brescia – TBC
• Fatima Zahra Dahir – PROMUS
• Nejra Kadić Meskic – Center for Cultural Dialogue

15:15 – 16:45
Parallel thematic groups:
Building inclusive communities and democratic resilience

16:45 – 17:00
Closing remarks and evaluation