Carcavelos, July 7, 2026–Nova School of Business and Economics (Nova SBE) will once again bring together global voices for broad, inclusive dialogue on October 29-30 with the 10th Estoril Conferences.

Under the theme “Reignite Democracy,” this year’s event will bring together world leaders from various sectors at the Nova SBE Carcavelos campus for a reflection aimed at inspiring collective action, individual and shared responsibility, and progress toward strengthening a democracy that prioritizes equality, education, health, and cooperation.

Organized by Nova SBE and NOVA Medical School, with the support of the Cascais City Council (this year designated the European Capital of Democracy 2026) and Turismo de Portugal, the 10th edition of the Estoril Conferences will, one more time, convene civil society, policymakers, global leaders, and especially younger generations for an inspiring debate on how current global challenges can help reignite democracy.

Global Peace, Policy, Health & Preparedness, Education, and Artificial Intelligence & Technology are the five pillars guiding discussions among distinguished national and international speakers.

FIRST CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

One of the first confirmed speakers is Venezuelan social activist Jesús Armas, president of Ciudadanía sin Límites, associated with the democratic opposition and the Primero Justicia party. Detained and tortured by Nicolás Maduro’s regime, Jesús Armas has become a symbol of the fight to defend democratic institutions and the rights of Venezuelan citizens. His presence underscores the conference’s commitment to those who directly face the consequences of democratic erosion.

Also confirmed is Helfried Carl, CEO of the European Capital of Democracy and co-founder of The Innovation in Politics Institute. With an extensive diplomatic career serving the Austrian government, including as Ambassador to Slovakia, Helfried Carl is widely recognized as a leading voice in promoting democracy through citizen participation and institutional innovation.

Jenny Romano (Co-founder and CEO of The Newsroom) is also among the confirmed speakers. With a background in technology, she has developed solutions aimed at strengthening information integrity while combating disinformation. Trained as an economist, Jenny Romano supports journalists in researching, validating, and presenting information through the transparent and ethical use of AI tools. She is currently recognized as one of the most influential women in the sector and has received the “She Shapes AI” award.

The Estoril Conferences will also feature Olivier Vandecasteele, founder and director of Protect Humanitarians, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and supporting humanitarian workers. In 2022, he was detained in Iran, where he spent more than a year in particularly adverse conditions and was subjected to mistreatment. This experience inspired the creation of Protect Humanitarians, launched after his release in 2023 with a mission to prioritize the protection and psychological safety of humanitarian workers. Since then, he has created an emergency fund to support NGOs and has promoted global initiatives, helping professionals in conflict and crisis settings, including Ukraine, Palestine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan.

Karla Soares-Weiser is another confirmed speaker for this 10th edition. CEO of Cochrane since 2025, she focuses on equity, collaboration, and collective impact. She previously served as Editor-in-Chief from 2019 to 2025, leading transformations in evidence synthesis and co-leading the planning of the Evidence Synthesis International Collaborative (ESIC), supported by the Wellcome Trust. With more than 30 years of experience in research, academia, and leadership, Karla Soares-Weiser is a psychiatrist with a master’s degree in Epidemiology in Mental Health and a PhD in Evidence-Based Medicine. Recognized for her work in international partnerships and in reducing health inequalities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, she speaks four languages and has centered her career on promoting equity and collective impact.

Other prominent figures will also attend, including Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (former President of the Portuguese Republic and a widely recognized voice in defending democratic values), Maria Luís Albuquerque (Economist and European Commissioner), Helena Canhão (Secretary of State for Science and Innovation), and Sir Richard Roberts (Nobel Laureate in Medicine, 1993).

“Seventeen years have passed since the first edition of the Estoril Conferences, and this year marks its 10th edition in Cascais, European Capital of Democracy 2026. Over ten editions, the Estoril Conferences have proven that knowledge and dialogue are the most powerful tools to strengthen democracy. At a time when trust in institutions is being tested worldwide, we reaffirm our commitment to being an open space where different ideas meet, where generations come together, and where the right conversation can change the course of events. Reigniting democracy requires exactly this: the courage to question, the openness to listen, and the will to act. That is what we stand for,” said Pedro Oliveira, Dean of Nova SBE.

Sobre as Conferências do Estoril:

As Conferências do Estoril, multipremiada nos Eventex Awards 2024, são uma plataforma internacional que, desde 2009, traz a Portugal alguns dos mais prestigiados líderes mundiais e nacionais para o debate de questões globais. Com mais de 17.500 participantes, de 130 nacionalidades diferentes e mais de 490 palestrantes de renome mundial, reuniu vários vencedores do Prémio Nobel e mais de 40 atuais e ex-Chefes de Estado, como Tony Blair, José Ramos-Horta, Roberta Metsola, Olena Zelenska, Yulia Tymoshenko, Aleksander Kwaśniewski, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, Mehdi Jooma, Francis Fukuyama, Mary Robinson, Mohamed Elbaradei, Fareeda Khalaf, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Sir Richard Roberts, Professor Aaron Ciechanover entre muitos outros. Com mais de dezassete anos e 10 edições, as Conferências do Estoril afirmam-se como uma plataforma de diálogo aberta, intergeracional e impactante, que envolve líderes internacionais de alto perfil na inspiração de novas gerações, para encontrar soluções possíveis para os desafios globais, por meio de coalizões de ação e parcerias inovadoras que estão comprometidas em criar mudanças efetivas em direção a um desenvolvimento sustentável e inclusivo, e futuro liberal para todos.

Sobre a Nova SBE:

A Nova SBE é a mais prestigiada business school em Portugal e uma das principais business schools da Europa. É a faculdade de ciências económicas, financeiras e de gestão da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. O atual Diretor é o Prof. Pedro Oliveira (PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). A Nova SBE é membro do CEMS desde dezembro de 2007 e tem atribuição Triple Crown em todo o mundo, o que implica a acreditação pela EQUIS, AMBA e AACSB. Foi a primeira business school portuguesa a adquirir acreditações internacionais e reconhecimento de renome mundial no ensino superior. A visão internacional da Nova SBE também se reflete na adoção do inglês como o principal idioma de ensino. A grande maioria dos cursos de licenciatura e todos os programas de mestrado, MBA e PhD são lecionados em inglês.

Sobre a NOVA Medical School:

Com mais de 45 anos de existência, a NOVA Medical School é a escola médica da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. Oferece uma experiência educativa única, onde cada estudante é preparado para transformar a realidade dos cuidados de saúde, apresentando uma rede de mais de 25 unidades de saúde. Guiada pelos pilares de Ensino, Investigação e Comunidade, a NOVA Medical School continua a crescer para novos campos, sempre próxima das pessoas, com o objetivo de capacitar mentes inovadoras e comprometidas com a criação de um futuro mais saudável e inclusivo. A missão da Escola vai além das salas de aula – pretende inspirar a mudança, melhorar vidas e redefinir a saúde global.

Para informações por favor contactar: 

BA&N Communications Consultancy

Cristina Costa – +351 964 865 020– cc@ban.pt

Rita Ferreira – +351 916 776 157 – rf@ban.pt

Armandino Geraldes – +351 934 266 637 – ang@ban.pt

Nova SBE Hosts 10th Estoril Conferences to ‘Reignite Democracy’ in Global Dialogue

Nova SBE gathers global leaders Oct 29–30 to debate strengthening democracy through action and innovation.

Nova School of Business and Economics (Nova SBE) will once again open its doors on October 29 and 30 to a global, inclusive, and wide-ranging dialogue with the 10th edition of the Estoril Conferences.

Under the theme “Reignite Democracy,” this year’s event will bring together world leaders from various sectors at the Nova SBE Carcavelos campus for a reflection aimed at inspiring collective action, individual and shared responsibility, and progress toward strengthening a democracy that prioritizes equality, education, health, and cooperation.

Organized by Nova SBE and NOVA Medical School, with the support of the Cascais City Council (this year designated the European Capital of Democracy 2026) and Turismo de Portugal, the 10th edition of the Estoril Conferences will, one more time, convene civil society, policymakers, global leaders, and especially younger generations for an inspiring debate on how current global challenges can help reignite democracy.

Global Peace, Policy, Health & Preparedness, Education, and Artificial Intelligence and Technology are the five pillars guiding discussions among distinguished national and international speakers.

First confirmed speakers

One of the first confirmed speakers is Venezuelan social activist Jesús Armas, president of Ciudadanía sin Límites, associated with the democratic opposition and the Primero Justicia party. Detained and tortured by Nicolás Maduro’s regime, Jesús Armas has become a symbol of the fight to defend democratic institutions and the rights of Venezuelan citizens. His presence underscores the conference’s commitment to those who directly face the consequences of democratic erosion.

Also confirmed is Helfried Carl, CEO of the European Capital of Democracy and co-founder of The Innovation in Politics Institute. With an extensive diplomatic career serving the Austrian government, including as Ambassador to Slovakia, Helfried Carl is widely recognized as a leading voice in promoting democracy through citizen participation and institutional innovation.

Jenny Romano (Co-founder and CEO of The Newsroom) is also among the confirmed speakers. With a background in technology, she has developed solutions aimed at strengthening information integrity while combating disinformation. Trained as an economist, Jenny Romano supports journalists in researching, validating, and presenting information through the transparent and ethical use of AI tools. She is currently recognized as one of the most influential women in the sector and has received the “She Shapes AI” award.

The Estoril Conferences will also feature Olivier Vandecasteele, founder and director of Protect Humanitarians, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and supporting humanitarian workers. In 2022, he was detained in Iran, where he spent more than a year in particularly adverse conditions and was subjected to mistreatment. This experience inspired the creation of Protect Humanitarians, launched after his release in 2023 with a mission to prioritize the protection and psychological safety of humanitarian workers. Since then, he has created an emergency fund to support NGOs and has promoted global initiatives, providing assistance to professionals in conflict and crisis settings, including Ukraine, Palestine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan.

Karla Soares-Weiser is another confirmed speaker for this 10th edition. CEO of Cochrane since 2025, she focuses on equity, collaboration, and collective impact. She previously served as Editor-in-Chief from 2019 to 2025, leading transformations in evidence synthesis and co-leading the planning of the Evidence Synthesis International Collaborative (ESIC), supported by the Wellcome Trust. With more than 30 years of experience in research, academia, and leadership, Karla Soares-Weiser is a psychiatrist with a master’s degree in Epidemiology in Mental Health and a PhD in Evidence-Based Medicine. Recognized for her work in international partnerships and in reducing health inequalities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, she speaks four languages and has centered her career on promoting equity and collective impact.

Other prominent figures will also attend, including Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (former President of the Portuguese Republic and a widely recognized voice in defending democratic values), Maria Luís Albuquerque (Economist and European Commissioner), Helena Canhão (Secretary of State for Science and Innovation), and Sir Richard Roberts (Nobel Laureate in Medicine, 1993).

“Seventeen years have passed since the first edition of the Estoril Conferences, and this year marks its 10th edition in Cascais, European Capital of Democracy 2026. Over ten editions, the Estoril Conferences have proven that knowledge and dialogue are the most powerful tools to strengthen democracy. At a time when trust in institutions is being tested worldwide, we reaffirm our commitment to being an open space where different ideas meet, where generations come together, and where the right conversation can change the course of events. Reigniting democracy requires exactly this: the courage to question, the openness to listen, and the will to act. That is what we stand for,” said Pedro Oliveira, Dean of Nova SBE.