Carcavelos, September 10, 2026 – Yulia Navalnaya, political activist and leader of the Russian opposition, and Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy, are two of the most prominent names already confirmed for the 10th edition of the Estoril Conferences, taking place on October 29 and 30 at the Nova SBE Carcavelos Campus.

Under the theme “Reignite Democracy,” the 2026 edition is based on the idea that democracy is sustained not only through elections or institutions, but also through participation, education, trust, and the ability to disagree without destroying the common space. The Estoril Conferences therefore aim to turn debate into action, bringing together different generations, geographies, and fields of knowledge.

Organized by Nova SBE and NOVA Medical School, with the support of Cascais City Council (elected European Capital of Democracy 2026 this year) and Turismo de Portugal, the 10th edition once again brings together political leaders, academics, activists, business leaders, researchers, and young leaders to reflect on the future of democracy and the challenges it faces today.

Politics, Global Peace, Education, Health & Preparedness, and Artificial Intelligence & Technology are the five major conversations shaping this edition, addressing issues such as the credibility of institutions, peace, civic literacy and participation, equity in access to healthcare, disinformation, and the impact of artificial intelligence on democratic discourse and electoral integrity.

FEATURED CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Alexei Navalny, current leader of the Russian opposition, economist, and one of the most recognized figures in the fight for democracy and against corruption in Russia, is one of the featured names at this year’s edition. She holds a degree in International Economic Relations from Plekhanov Russian University of Economics and worked alongside her husband in advocating for democratic change in the country. Following Alexei Navalny’s death, she announced that she would continue his work. She currently chairs the Advisory Board of the International Anti-Corruption Foundation and, in 2024, was elected President of the Human Rights Foundation, taking on a role that has positioned her as a kind of “first lady” of the Russian anti-corruption movement.

Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy, also joins the confirmed speaker lineup. A politician and academic whose career has been strongly connected to European affairs, he served as Minister for European Affairs, Minister of Industry and Trade, and Member of the European Parliament before becoming Italy’s Prime Minister from April 2013 to February 2014. He has served as President of the Jacques Delors Institute since 2016 and, in 2024, became Dean of the IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs in Madrid. In 2024, he presented the report “Much More than a Market,” focused on the future of the European Single Market, to the European Council.

Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Iranian lawyer, writer, and human rights activist is also among the confirmed speakers for this edition. She was the first female judge in Iran and, after being removed from her position following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Shirin Ebadi founded and co-founded several human rights organizations, including the Defenders of Human Rights Centre in Tehran.

The 10th edition of the Estoril Conferences will also feature Annamaria Lusardi, an Italian researcher at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) and Director of the Financial Decision-Making Initiative in Italy. As a global specialist in financial literacy, the academic brings her pioneering work in the field of personal finance to the conference. In addition to being a leading figure in financial literacy, Annamaria Lusardi is the founder of the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center (GFLEC), where she serves as Academic Director, and Editor of the Journal of Financial Literacy and Wellbeing, published by Cambridge University Press.

Among the more than 30 names already confirmed are Emilio J. Castilla, Professor at MIT Sloan School of Management; Mathew Prince, Co-founder and CEO of CloudFlare; Trudie Lang, global health research specialist and leader of The Global Health Network; Gonçalo Saraiva Matias, Minister of State and Reform of the State of Portugal; and Andrew Jack, Global Education Editor at the Financial Times.

Also remaining among the confirmed and previously announced speakers are Maria Luís Albuquerque, European Commissioner; Jesús Armas, Venezuelan activist; Helfried Carl, Founder and CEO of the European Capital of Democracy; Jenny Romano, Co-founder and CEO of The Newsroom; Olivier Vandecasteele, Founder and Director of Protect Humanitarians; Karla Soares-Weiser, CEO of Cochrane; Helena Canhão, Secretary of State for Science and Innovation; Miguel Stilwell d’Andrade, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of EDP; Francesco Billari, Rector of Bocconi University in Milan; and Maria João Carioca, Co-CEO and CFO of Galp.

The 2026 edition views democracy as an everyday process, in a context marked by declining trust in institutions, polarization, armed conflicts, and technologies capable of transforming the way information is produced, distributed, and validated. The program has been designed to go beyond the stage, combining keynotes, plenary debates, first-person testimonies, cross-sector and intergenerational meetings, workshops, and working sessions focused on concrete commitments.

Registration for the 10th edition of the Estoril Conferences is now open and can be completed here.

About the Estoril Conferences:

The Estoril Conferences, a multi-award-winning event at the 2024 Eventex Awards, are an international platform that, since 2009, has brought some of the world’s most prestigious global and national leaders to Portugal to debate global issues. With more than 17,500 participants from 130 different nationalities and more than 490 renowned speakers, the Conferences have brought together several Nobel Prize winners and more than 40 current and former Heads of State, including 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, and Professor Aaron Ciechanover, among many others. With more than seventeen years and 10 editions, the Estoril Conferences have established themselves as an open, intergenerational, and impactful platform for dialogue, bringing together high-profile international leaders to inspire new generations to find possible solutions to global challenges through coalitions for action and innovative partnerships committed to creating effective change toward sustainable and inclusive development and a liberal future for all.

About Nova SBE:

Nova SBE is the most prestigious business school in Portugal and one of Europe’s leading business schools. It is the School of Economics, Finance and Management of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa and is ranked #2 worldwide by the Financial Times for its International Master in Management. Its current Dean is Professor Pedro Oliveira (PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). Nova SBE has been a CEMS member since December 2007 and holds Triple Crown accreditation worldwide, including EQUIS, AMBA, and AACSB. It was the first Portuguese business school to obtain international accreditations and worldwide recognition in higher education. Nova SBE’s international outlook is also reflected in its adoption of English as its primary language of instruction. Most undergraduate programs and all master’s, MBA, and PhD programs are taught in English. 

About NOVA Medical School:

With more than 45 years of history, NOVA Medical School is the medical school of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. It offers a unique educational experience in which each student is prepared to transform the reality of healthcare, supported by a network of more than 25 healthcare units. Guided by the pillars of Education, Research, and Community, NOVA Medical School continues to expand into new fields, always remaining close to people, with the goal of empowering innovative minds committed to creating a healthier and more inclusive future. The School’s mission goes beyond the classroom – it aims to inspire change, improve lives, and redefine global health.

About Cascais:

With a privileged location on Portugal’s Atlantic coast, Cascais has been recognized as one of Portugal’s and Europe’s leading tourist destinations, not only for its unique location but also for hosting numerous international conferences and events. Historically, Cascais was a refuge for European aristocracy and elites, where kings, diplomats, filmmakers, actors, writers, business leaders, and bankers were drawn by the area’s security (supported by Portugal’s neutrality during times of conflict), as well as its climate, luxury hotels, and the famous Estoril Casino – where Ian Fleming found inspiration for the first James Bond novel, Casino Royale. Times have changed, but the charm and essence remain the same, highlighted by the fact that Cascais is regularly recognized with international awards in the tourism, environmental, and governance sectors. In 2026, Cascais is the European Capital of Democracy. 

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