Bürgerhaus MüZe
Berliner Straße 77
51063 Cologne
Germany
From Provisions to Practice: Let's Talk Fundamental Rights!
How well are fundamental rights protected in practice across Europe? And how can we make sure the rights set out on paper translate into real protection for everyone?
Join us in Cologne from 19–21 November 2026 for Shaping Democracy Conference 2026, where CharterNet brings the conversation on fundamental rights to the table!
Bürgerhaus MüZe, Berliner Straße 77, Cologne, Germany
Conference language: English
Participation is free of charge
Meet our project partners from seven European countries, connect with civil society organisations and other democracy practitioners, and explore the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Together, we'll exchange experiences, discuss challenges in applying the Charter across different national contexts, and develop practical recommendations to strengthen fundamental rights protection.
Bring your questions, share your experiences and join the discussion. Let's explore how we can turn fundamental rights from principles on paper into meaningful protection in practice!
19 November, Day 1: Connect | When? | What? |
| 17:30-18:00 | Registration | |
| 18:00-19:00 | Opening exhibitions: Discover and Explore Art of Fundamental Rights: Our Rights, Our Democracy Artist input: AnNusch on the artwork "DIGNITY" |
| 19:00-21:00 | Networking evening |
20 November, Day 2: Exchange |
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| 09:00- 10:00 | Registration |
| 12:00 - 13:00 | Keynote and Discussion: the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights What role does the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights play in protecting our rights and strengthening democracy across Europe? This session explores the Charter's historical relevance, its scope of application and its significance in fundamental rights protection in the EU. Building on these insights, an open discussion will invite participants to reflect on how the Charter can be better understood, promoted and used in practice, and how civil society and citizens can contribute to making fundamental rights a reality for everyone. Mareike Hoffmann, Academy of European Law |
| 13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 - 16:00 | Interactive Workshop: Fundamental Rights Simulation Game This workshop explores the use of simulation games as a method for human rights education. Through the hands-on experience of a simulation, participants can see how this method can be used to address human rights issues and encourage reflection upon democratic values. To this end, participants will play selected parts of a simulation game from the frei und gleich initiative of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD). This particular simulation game explores how communities can respond to right-wing extremism in volunteer work. Participants take on the roles of different stakeholders in a fictional municipality, debating whether a local nursery should accept support from volunteer organizations with suspected far-right connections. Karina Frank, planpolitik |
| 16:15 - 17:00 | Workshop: Fundamental Rights at Work: Tools and Practices in the EU How can citizens better understand, exercise and defend their fundamental rights? What tools and mechanisms are available when these rights are challenged or violated? This workshop explores mechanisms of fundamental rights protection, awareness-raising and access to redress mechanisms across Europe. Discussing existing tools, initiatives and good practices, participants will exchange experiences and discover how citizens, activists and civil society organisations can better promote rights awareness and support people in exercising and defending their rights. Lorenza De Luna and Qendresa Mejzini, Democracy International e.V. |
| 18:30 - 19:00 | Keynote TBA |
19:00 - 22:00 | Celebrating 15 years of Democracy International Join us in celebrating 15 years of Democracy International! We invite all our partners, friends, and supporters to celebrate this milestone together with drinks, finger food, and good company. | |
21 November, Day 3: Shape |
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| 09:00-10:00 | Registration | |
10:00 - 11:30 | Workshop: Co-Creating Solutions for Stronger Fundamental Rights in the EU | |
11:30 - 12:30 | Closing session: Building Europe's Democratic Future Together |
Our partners
Direct Democracy