The four plenary sessions of the Congress will address the following topics
1. Democracy: growth, backsliding, repair and revival
During the last decades, pessimism has led scholars and practitioners to
pose profound questions on liberal democracy as it undergoes a crisis
worldwide (hence terms such as “democratic erosion”, “backsliding”, “illiberal democracies”).
2. Rule of law: courts as defenders or reformers of constitutionalism
Debates on sustainable constitutions reactivate debates on the role of courts in democratic systems. However, courts may receive criticism, for example, that they are a counter-majoritarian power, which tries to solve political problems without any political legitimacy.
3. Human rights in reality: access and implementation
While domestic and international human rights law and institutions have made important strides in promoting and protecting human rights after World War II, they continue to face challenges in ensuring state compliance, addressing backlashes against human rights, securing adequate resources, enforcing judgments, and addressing emerging human rights issues. Moreover, crises such as pandemics, financial emergencies, armed conflicts, climate change and the increasing power of AI, create additional challenges to the enjoyment of human rights.
4. Human Duties in the Human-centred World: Constitutionalism and
Private Actors
Constitutionalism has been built around two axes: Controlling power and ensuring the rights and freedoms of the people. Traditionally the constitution has been understood as a law that obligates only the state. However, today, at the most critical moment of the Anthropocene, this premise needs to be critically examined.