The Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies - directed by Silvia Erzeel (VUB) and Emilie van Haute (ULB) - is holding the opening ceremony on the 22th of January at the BrIAS Foyer & seminar Hall, Boulevard Général Jacques 210, 1050 Brussels.
The program:
12:00h - 14:00h: Pre-Ceremony Book Launch
- Democratic Commitment: Why Citizens Tolerate Democratic Backsliding, Prof. Natasha Wunsch (University of Fribourg), Oxford University Press Discussant: Prof. Luca Tomini (ULB)
16:00h - 16:30h: Welcome speeches, BrIAS directors and university authorities
- Prof. Em. Frank Deconinck - BrIAS co-director
Prof. Serge Jaumain - BrIAS co-director
Prof. Marius Gilbert - Vice-Rector of research and valorisation, and vice-rector for culture and scientific mediation, ULB
Prof. Pieter Ballon - Vice-Rector for research, VUB
- Prof. Em. Frank Deconinck - BrIAS co-director
- 16:30h - 16:45h: Introduction to the 2026 BrIAS theme
- Prof. Silvia Erzeel - BrIAS programme co-director
Prof. Jasper Van Assche - BrIAS programme WP leader
- Prof. Silvia Erzeel - BrIAS programme co-director
- 16:45h - 17:30h: Opening speech by Sam van der Staak, Director of Regional Europe Programme, IDEA international
- 18:00h: Concert by Nico Vancouver (piano) and Sabine Kabongo (voice)
- 18:30h: Reception
Registration is free (but required).