Coppieters Foundation

15/10/2026

On 9 October 2026 Geneva hosted an experts’ meeting to commemorate the centenary of the Congress of European Nationalities.

In 1925 representatives of European nations and minorities, not having an official seat at the table, met in Geneva to raise their voices at the League of Nations – the precursor of the United Nations. For more than a decade the Congress advocated for the advance of collective rights, dialogue and conflict prevention at international level.

A hundred years on, some legal protections for minority languages and peoples exist, but a significant gap remains between legal safeguards and political representation and the debate on self-determination does not have a clear space in the international governance organisations.

Against this background, the 100 Anniversary of the Congress of European Nationalities revisited the legacy of the 1926 Congress and opened a discussion on collective rights and self-determination in today’s multilateral landscape.

🌐 Want to know more?

13/10/2026

12/10/2026

Tomorrow - 13 October 2026 - we present our new paper at the European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels!

"Renewable Energy Communities in Europe: The cases of Denmark, Finland & the Netherlands" argues that Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) are one of Europe's best shields against the ongoing polycrisis. By enabling decentralised, locally owned renewable energy, RECs can:
- Strengthen energy security
- Reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports
- Protect citizens from volatile prices and energy poverty

🌐 Want to know more? https://coppietersfoundation.eu/activity/paper/renewable-energy-communities-in-denmark-finland-the-netherlands/ . .

This paper is a joint initiative of Coppieters Foundation and The Association for Rural Culture and Education (Finland).

The event is organised by the Committee of the Regions.
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This event is financially supported by the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not liable for the content of the event nor the opinions of the speakers.

28/09/2026

This year marks the centenary of the creation of the Congress of European Nationalities.

The Congress brought together representatives of national minorities and peoples without direct representation at the League of Nations, the precursor of the United Nations, to advance collective rights at the international level, advocate for recognition and promote dialogue and self-determination as a tool for conflict prevention.

A century later, some legal protections exist, but they have not delivered the level of protection expected. A significant gap also remains between legal safeguards and political representation.

This event will revisit the legacy of the Congress and open a discussion on collective rights and self-determination in today's multilateral landscape.

📍 Where: University of Geneva, Salle 1, 66 Boulevard Carl-Vogt, 1205 Geneva
🕘 When: Friday 9 October 2026, 09:00 to 17:00
🗣 Language: English and French

//// Programme

09:30 Welcome words:

- Sébastien Farré (Maison de l'histoire, University of Geneva),
- Alfonso Gómez (City Council of Geneva) (tbc)and
- Antonia Luciani (President, Coppieters Foundation)

10:00 Keynote:

- Nicolas Levrat, UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues

10:30 Roundtable 1 - History of the Congress of European Nationalities and national recognition in a historical perspective:

- Xosé M. Núñez Seixas
- Kas Swerts

Moderated by Peggy Eriksson

14:00 Roundtable 2 - The evolution of the right to self-determination of peoples from a global governance perspective:

- Fernand de Varennes
- Anwen Elias

Moderated by Sandrina Antunes

🌐 Want to know more? https://coppietersfoundation.eu/activity/event/100-anniversary-of-the-congress-of-european-nationalities/

🌐 Registration form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSed7pTY-LaXNawkECb1ohcV4p2GhQKZVilhEugcVtOLudT0TA/viewform
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This event is a joint initiative of Coppieters Foundation, University of Geneva and Sine Qua Non.
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This event is financially supported by the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not liable for the content of the event nor the opinions of the speakers.

15/09/2026

Today we organise the official launch of our publication "Political Figures for the Europe of the Future" with an experts panel in Sassari, Sardinia.

This publication explores the transformative potential of federalism, self-determination, and cultural diversity in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable Europe. Drawing on historical analysis, philosophy and political theory the study advocates for a shift from the traditional nation-state model to a decentralized Europe of the Peoples.

Through the lens of influential thinkers like Camillo Bellieni, Émile Chanoux, Marianna Bussalai, Denis de Rougemont, Alfonso Castelao, Edmond Simeoni, Antonio Simon Mossa, and Maurits Coppieters, the study provides a compelling vision for a future Europe that values its rich diversity and empowers its peoples.

The publication argues that the centralized nation-state model often suppresses ethnic and cultural identities, leading to tensions and conflict. Therefore, supporting federalism, Europe can create a framework that respects the unique identities of its diverse regions and foster cooperation and solidarity while ensuring peace and justice across the continent.

The study underscores the importance of preserving minority languages and cultures, an important component of Europe’s identity. By protecting these elements, Europe can build a stronger sense of community and belonging that transcends economic interests and political boundaries.

Hence, the current institutional structure of the European Union, needs to reform to prioritize democracy, human rights, and the principle of subsidiarity.

🌐 Want to know more?
https://coppietersfoundation.eu/activity/event/book-presentation-political-figures-for-the-europe-of-the-future/
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This event is a joint initiative of Coppieters Foundation and Istituto di studi e ricerche Camillo Bellieni.
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This event is financially supported by the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not liable for the content of the event nor the opinions of the speakers.

10/09/2026

“Democratic resilience in Europe relies on bridging the gap between citizens and institutions.

The strongest shield Europe can build is not a wall against the outside, but stronger democracy on the inside. Coppieters Foundation is ready to help build it.”

Inaki Irazabalbeitia, Coppieters, calls for european policies to increase civic space and democracy at Commitee of the Region event.

On 10 September 2026, Eijsden was home to the event “Celebrating 80 Years of Freedom: Democratic Resilience for the Way Ahead” an event organised by the Committe of the Regions’ Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs (CIVEX).

🌐 Want to know more?
https://coppietersfoundation.eu/news/the-strongest-shield-europe-can-build-is-not-a-wall-against-the-outside-but-stronger-democracy-on-the-inside/
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Coppieters foundation is financially supported by the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not liable for the content of the event nor for the opinions of the speakers.

10/09/2026

Today we take part in the 10th conference of the CIVEX commission (Committee of the regions) in Limburg.

We will exchange views with policymakers and other political foundations on strategies to reinforce the resilience of European democracy in a context of chnaging risks internally and externally.

You can follow the proceedings via web stream at:
https://webstreaming.cor.europa.eu/en/cor/civex-annual-conference-celebrating-80-years-of-freedom-democratic-resilience-for-the-way-ahead-or/embed

Want to know more about the conference panel:
https://www.cor.europa.eu/en/plenaries-events/10th-civex-commision-meeting-and-external-conference

On day 1, CIVEX votes on opinions on the Mediterranean Pact, counter-terrorism, Ukrainian refugee protection, and discusses better EU regulation. On day 2, the annual conference takes place.

09/09/2026

The Coppieters Foundation, together with the Center for International Human Rights (CIHR) at John Jay College of Criminal Justice at City University of New York (CUNY), organises an online expert discussion on “Global Governance: Tackling the Unresolved Question of Self-Determination in the 21st Century”.

This workshop will feature presentations of preliminary versions of two research papers, followed by a discussion and open exchange with participants to discuss how over the past century, multilateral institutions have contributed to advancing the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities, supporting the development of international legal and normative frameworks. However, the question of self-determination remains largely unresolved. Contemporary geopolitical developments and the evolving understanding of identity, sovereignty and participation urges us to revisit this issue from both normative and policy-oriented perspectives.

It will take place online on September 17 at 17:30 CEST / 11:30 ET.

Discussants are:
- George Andreopoulos, Professor of Political Science, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and at the Graduate Center (CUNY) and founding Director of the Center for International Human Rights, John Jay College
- Lluís Pérez-Lozano, Adjunct professor on political theory, Universitat Pompeu Fabra
- Steve Rosow, Emeritus Professor of Political Science, SUNY at Oswego, and
- Fernand de Varennes, expert on human rights and international law.

🌐 Want to know more?
https://coppietersfoundation.eu/activity/event/2026-summer-school-europes-non-kin-state-minorities-profiles-and-realities/

🌐 Registration:
Please note that the online meeting link will be sent exclusively to attendees who register via this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYU1SCHuzMpmsaW4i9G4atoQJs5NSjkjYeq2yeEn8jH3sMhQ/viewform
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This event is a joint initiative of John Jay College of Criminal Justice in (CUNY) Centre for International Human Rights in New York and Coppieters Foundation.
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This event is financially supported by the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not liable for the content of the event nor the opinions of the speakers.

27/08/2026

The Summer School on National Minorities focuses on non-kin-state minorities.

This is not a formally established legal category in international law, but an academic definition: a national, linguistic or cultural minority that does not have a sovereign external state with which it shares a common ethnic, linguistic or national identity and that could act as its kin-state in international affairs.

As a result of this, their protection depends primarily on domestic constitutional arrangements and international human rights mechanisms rather than on diplomatic support from an external homeland.

Some of the cases explored in the course are Catalans, Welsh, Silesians. Unlike Hungarians in Romania or Croats in Serbia, these groups do not have an external sovereign mother state advocating for them internationally.

These three cases illustrate different models of interaction between a non-kin-state minority and its home state:

- Catalonia seeks greater political recognition and self-government within (or, for some, outside) Spain.

- ⁠Wales has pursued recognition through devolution and constitutional accommodation within the UK.

-⁠ ⁠Silesia primarily seeks official recognition of its identity and language within Poland.

Together, they demonstrate that the relationship between non-kin-state minorities and their home states can range from constitutional accommodation, to autonomy, to struggles for legal recognition.

They deserve deserve particular attention and ad-hoc solutions at international law because minorities without a kin-state are structurally more dependent on domestic arrangements and because they lack an external state capable of advocating for their rights in international forums.

Therefore the legitimate and democratic claims for recognition, representation and protection should be a focus of concern for EU and International institutions.

Self-determination, participation in political live and the rights of these groups would reinforce European democracy as democratic systems gain legitimacy if all communities can participate in equal ways, including those with distinct national, linguistic or cultural identities. Otherwise there is a risk related to the erosion of trust in public institutions and undermining confidence in democracy leading communities to feel politically invisible or marginalised.

🌐 Want to know more? https://coppietersfoundation.eu/activity/event/2026-summer-school-europes-non-kin-state-minorities-profiles-and-realities/