The 18th international seminar “Connecting EU 2026” on the topic “In Defense of European Values: The Power of Civil Society” will take place in Sofia on July 6 and 7, organized by the European Economic and Social Committee in partnership with the Economic and Social Council of the Republic of Bulgaria. The event is co-organized by Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.”
The forum will bring together representatives of European institutions, national economic and social councils, civil society organizations, the academic community, journalists, and communications experts from European Union member states, as well as official guests from the government and the National Assembly. The initiative is also part of the joint projects of the ESC and the EESC, which include combating disinformation, promoting European values, and representing the views of employers, trade unions, and civil society organizations in shaping policies on important public issues.
This year, the theme of the “Connecting the EU” seminar will be Europe’s ability to uphold its core values at a time when its economic priorities are shifting, and trust in democracy and civic spaces is under increasing pressure, as well as the ways in which civil society can defend these values.
Democracy is under attack from all sides: civil society is being sidelined, trust in institutions and independent media is eroding, and populist rhetoric—often fueled by foreign influence—makes it difficult for citizens to choose whom to trust, thereby weakening democracy from within. The seminar will include two panels and an interactive program featuring small-group work and a hands-on workshop.
Europe’s New Economic Compass: Striking a Balance Between Competitiveness, Social Rights, and Sustainability. Can Europe build an economic model that ensures both competitiveness and social justice?
Europe’s Democratic Compass: Can Trust and Resilience Be Restored? Increased foreign interference, populist attacks, smear campaigns, and funding cuts have weakened civil society and independent media.
AI as a friend, not as an enemy. Two small working groups will explore ways in which AI can help communications professionals identify fake news, refine their messaging, and work more efficiently.
You can watch the seminar online here:
In Defense of European Values: The Power of Civil Society | EESC
Registration link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFOydBJC-3im1AEPzbv4_fR-1Jigi9iTbaiA0Y9aYNHyi20Q/viewform?usp=publish-editor
More about Connecting EU 2026:
The seminar is part of the “Connecting the EU” event, which has been held for 18 years now. Each year, the event provides a platform for media and communications professionals from civil society organizations to meet and discuss current issues of common interest affecting Europe. This seminar brings together EESC members and other EU representatives, partner organizations from member states, journalists, and researchers to discuss the pressing issues of the day.
The “Connecting the EU 2026” seminar will be held at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in Sofia and is organized with the support of the Bulgarian Economic and Social Council, the European Parliament Liaison Office in Bulgaria, and the European Commission Delegation to Bulgaria.
