The speech of the former President of the Republic, Prokopios Pavlopoulos, at the 11th International Scientific Conference of I.A.K.E., held in Heraklion, left a strong impact on the scientific and political dialogue, and remains relevant to discussions about the contemporary challenges facing Democracy.

In his keynote speech, titled “Civil Society as a Fundamental Factor for the Defense of Representative Democracy,” Mr. Pavlopoulos clearly elaborated on the importance of active citizen participation in defending democratic institutions at a time when the institutions of democracy face unprecedented threats.

The former President of the Republic and Emeritus Professor of the Law School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) focused on the necessity of strengthening Civil Society, which he described as a “fundamental counterbalance in a world where democratic guarantees are at stake.” He highlighted the significance of social participation as the cornerstone of political action and emphasized that Civil Society must be the driving force behind the defense of Democracy. He used examples from contemporary social and political movements in Europe to demonstrate how active citizen engagement can foster solutions to protect the values of Democracy and Freedom.

Referring to I.A.K.E., Mr. Pavlopoulos praised the Institute’s work, stating that it “represents an exceptional community of creation and participation.” He stressed that “the scientific community of I.A.K.E. is a shining example for creating new models of cooperation and solidarity, which are essential for our times.” At the same time, he commended I.A.K.E.’s contribution to strengthening public dialogue and institutions, as well as encouraging academic and political participation.

With his scholarly analysis, the former President made powerful and persuasive statements about contemporary Europe. He remarked that “Europe, if it does not reconnect with the values of democracy and social solidarity, risks losing its identity,” while emphasizing that “modern societies need more Democracy, not less,” referring to the challenges that institutions face today.

The hall of the Heraklion Chamber of Commerce was packed with academics from universities in Greece and abroad, politicians, and representatives of civil society, which enriched the discussion and brought a multifaceted scientific and political dialogue. A special presence was that of the Governor of Crete, Stavros Arnaoutakis, who honored the event with his attendance, highlighting on his part I.A.K.E.’s contribution to establishing Crete as an international scientific hub, with the 11th consecutive International Scientific Conference co-organized with the Region of Crete.

Mr. Pavlopoulos’s speech sparked strong interest and made a significant impression, strengthening efforts to reinforce institutions and promote civil society’s participation in preserving democracy. His words on democratic vigilance, the importance of social participation, and the responsibilities we bear in facing contemporary challenges contributed greatly to enriching the scientific dialogue and enhancing the political awareness of the attendees.

Mr. Pavlopoulos’s presence and his remarks on democracy and the communities of creation that support participation and political action gained special symbolic significance for the conference, which became a milestone in the scientific discourse of our country. His award for contributions to the political and academic community, as well as his important intervention in the discussion on democracy, further enhanced the value and symbolism of the event. The 11th International Conference of I.A.K.E. thus emerged as a key reference point for public and scientific discussion regarding the importance of democratic institutions and the need to strengthen social participation.