AGENDA

Join conference of Green Habito and EuroMeduc Networks
26-29th November 2026, Tallinn/Narva, Estonia |

Security and Civil Society Conference 2026

 “Safer and stronger together: strengthening Europe’s civil society cooperation and resilience”

PROGRAMME 26th– 29th of November, in Narva, Estonia

Thursday, 26th November 2026 Arrivals and sightseeing in Tallinn

  • The arrival of Officials and Speakers in Tallinn
  • The arrival of Delegates and Experts (on the 25th and 26th November in Tallinn)
  • Registration to the Conference
  • Preparation of Conference and visiting CSOs and governmental institutions
  • Sightseeing tours in Tallinn
  • Dinner in Tallinn, Ulemiste Centre
  • Departure at 19.00pm to Narva- Jõesuu and Narva (Accommodation places)
  • Arrival in Meresuu Spa Hotel and/or Narva Hotel at 21.50
  • 22.00 – 22.30 Organising Committee meeting in Meresuu Spa Hotel

Friday, 27th November 2026. OFFICIAL CONFERENCE DAY in Narva College of Tartu University, Narva

09.00 – 10.00 Registration and coffee

10.00 – 11.30 The Opening Ceremony and keynote speeches

Moderator of the Conference: Amb. Hatem Atallah

– Welcome speech by Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs or Estonian Minister of Defence
– Welcome and keynote speech by representative of European Commission
– Welcome and keynote speech by Anna Lindh Foundation executive director
– Welcome speech by Maria Gratschew, director of Nordic Council of Ministers´ Office in Estonia
– Welcome speech by Michael Kavuklis, on behalf of the “Euromeduc” and  “Green Habito” European Civil Society Networks 

11.30 – 13.00 I Panel discussion with experts, delegates and interested members of public “Inclusive Governance and Institutional Participation in the Euro-Mediterranean Region”

Across the Euro-Mediterranean region, civil society initiatives increasingly seek meaningful and structured participation in policymaking and governance processes at national, regional, and international levels. There is a clear shift from limited, formal consultation toward co-design, shared decision-making, and joint implementation of policies. This trend is particularly visible within frameworks such as the EU’s New Pact for the Mediterranean and the Union for the Mediterranean, which emphasise partnership, mutual accountability, and multi-level governance. The panel explores how institutional participation mechanisms can be strengthened to enable civil society to contribute substantively to policy design, monitoring, and evaluation—particularly in the fields of security, migration, climate action, social cohesion and democratic governance.

Proposed subtopics for discussion:

  • From Consultation to Co-Creation: Advancing meaningful participation and inclusive policymaking.
  • Building Trust and Democratic Governance: Strengthening cooperation between institutions, civil society and citizens.
  • Youth, Women and Civil Society as Drivers of Change: Enhancing participation, leadership and social cohesion.
  • Euro-Mediterranean Partnerships and Multi-Stakeholder Cooperation: Addressing migration, resilience and sustainable development through dialogue and collaboration.
  • Participation, Accountability and Impact: Strengthening governance, transparency and effective civic engagement.
  • The Future of Inclusive Governance: Opportunities within the EU, Union for the Mediterranean and the New Pact for the Mediterranean frameworks.

Moderator: Amb Hatem Atallah (Tunisia)

Experts: to be confirmed

  • Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia (TBC)
  • Josep Ferré is the Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation (Egypt)
  • Francisco Gaztelu Mezquiriz, Director DG MENA, Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf, European Commission (Belgium) online
  • Senén Florensa, Executive President, European Institute of the Mediterranean 
  • Anna Dorangricchia, Programme Manager Gender Equality, Social and Civil Affairs Division, Union for the Mediterranean 
  • Michael G. Kavuklis, Political Scientist, Coordinator in Chief of the Europe, Entrepreneurship & Sustainable Development Forum of Rhodes and Vice-President of the European Network for Education and Training – EUNET, e.V

12.40 – 13.00 Working groups

13.00 – 14.00 Lunch (on the first floor)

14.00 – 15.30 II Panel discussion  “Societal Security and Resilience in the Nordic-Baltic and Arctic Region”

Nordic and Baltic governments and institutions prioritize crisis preparedness, societal resilience, and civil security, addressing hybrid threats (e.g., cyberattacks, disinformation), natural disasters, and the coordination of emergency response across states and municipalities. Security in these regions is increasingly shaped by the interaction of hard security dynamics, geopolitical interests, and societal resilience. Governments and institutions focus on crisis preparedness, civil defence, and resilience while responding to shifting geopolitical realities, including great-power competition and the strategic interests of the United States, Russia, and China. Military security, NATO deterrence, critical infrastructure protection, and Arctic militarization intersect with hybrid threats such as cyberattacks, disinformation, energy security risks, and climate-driven disruptions. The panel will discuss how to integrate hard security considerations with a whole-of-society approach, ensuring that defence, civil preparedness, and resilience reinforce democratic values, social cohesion, and public trust. It will also examine how regional cooperation, economic growth and the role of civil society can strengthen resilience and mitigate the societal impact of crises.

Subtopics for discussion:

  • Great-power competition and its impact on Nordic-Baltic and Arctic security
  • The role of NATO, EU cooperation, and transatlantic relations
  • Russia’s hybrid influence in the region and China’s growing strategic, economic, and technological footprint in the Arctic
  • Protection of critical infrastructure, energy security, and supply chains
  • Linking military preparedness with civil resilience and democratic governance

Moderator:  Chris Lunday, Politico journalist (Germany) / TBC

Experts: to be confirmed

  • Flemming Splidsboel Hansen Senior Researcher, Danish Institute for International Studies (Denmark)
  • Thierry Rodon, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Université Laval, (Canada) 
  • Linus Owman, Project Leader, Societal Security and Resilience, Nordic Council of Ministers (Denmark)
  • Mads Qvist Frederiksen, Executive Director of the Arctic Economic Council (Norway)
  • Dr. Daniel S. Hamilton, Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Institute of Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (USA) Online (“Failures of Imagination: Flow Security and the Need for Forward Resilience”)

15.30 – 16.00 Working groups

16.00 – 16.15 Coffee break

16.15 – 17.45 III Panel discussion with experts, delegates and interested members of public “Regional Cooperation, Human-Centred Security, and Civil Society Engagement”

Security across European and neighbouring regions is increasingly understood through human-centred, democratic and cross-border perspectives. Shared challenges – including geopolitical tensions, economic insecurity, human rights, climate change, migration, hybrid threats and information manipulation- require coordinated responses that extend beyond traditional state-centred approaches. Civil society organisations play a crucial role in strengthening community and epistemic resilience, protecting democratic values, fostering social cohesion and ensuring inclusive participation. In an information environment increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, disinformation, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), and deepfakes, the ability of individuals and institutions to recognise reliable information, make informed decisions and maintain public trust has become an essential dimension of human security.Protecting civic space, strengthening cooperation between civil society and public institutions, and maintaining trust in democratic processes are essential for long-term stability, effective crisis preparedness and sustainable regional security.

Subtopics for discussion:

  • Civil society’s role in regional crisis prevention, preparedness and response;
  • Epistemic resilience: artificial intelligence, disinformation, FIMI, deepfakes and information integrity;
  • Strengthening human rights, public trust, critical thinking and informed democratic participation;
  • Protecting civic space under growing security pressures;
  • Local authorities as key actors in regional and cross-border cooperation.
  • Economic and human security as bridges between regions;

Moderator: Priit Talv, Propastop (Estonia)

Experts: 

  • Ewa Puzdrowska, British Council Regional Lead Non-Formal Education, EU Region, Digital Citizens Euroopa programme manager  (Poland) TBC
  • Ph.D Mette Brogden, The University of Arizona (USA)
  • Anis Boufrikha,  Tunisian Head of Network of Anna Lindh Foundation (Tunisia)
  • Jamil Diarbekirli, Executive Director of the Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights (Sweden)
  • Elisabet Gamell Rodríguez, Board Member, Ahead (Spain)

17.45 – 18.15 Working groups

18.15 – 18.30 The concluding remarks of the Conference by Moderator: Amb. Hatem Attallah.

19.00 – 21.00 Official Reception and Estonian Culture programme

Saturday, 28th November 2026 OFFICIAL CONFERENCE DAY at the Narva College of Tartu University, Narva

09.00 – 09.15 Elaborating Conference Declaration language, Summary of the agreements. The conference Moderator & Working Group Rapporteurs

09.15 – 10.00 Keynote speakers on Conference Themes & Goals
– “Beyond Borders: Migration, Trust and Societal Resilience in Europe’s Changing Security Landscape” – Saara Pellander, Director of the Migration Institute of Finland
–  “Preventing radicalisation through a whole-of-the-society and trauma-informed approach” – Oksana Belova-Dalton, Research Fellow in International Relations at the University of Tartu

10.00 – 11.30 IV Panel discussion “Interconnected Security Challenges in Europe and the Mediterranean: State and Civil Society Perspectives”

Migration, conflict, economic instability, and border management shape a complex and interconnected security landscape across Europe and the Mediterranean. From a state perspective, priorities often centre on security, crisis management, and institutional stability. Civil society actors, meanwhile, emphasise human rights, social cohesion, and community resilience. This panel creates space for dialogue between these perspectives, exploring how security measures can be balanced with human-centred approaches and highlighting the role of civil society in shaping inclusive, just, and sustainable solutions in both Europe and the Southern Mediterranean.

Subtopics for discussion:

  • Balancing border security and human rights
  • Civil society as a mediator between communities and institutions
  • Migration governance and shared responsibility
  • Long-term resilience versus short-term security responses

Moderator: Kari Käsper, Head of Office for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Estonia 

  • Stefanos Vallianatos, Co-Founder of Fotoessa, Head of Greek Network of Anna Lindh Foundation (Greece)
  • Saara Pellander, Director of the Migration Institute of Finland (Finland) 
  • Veiko Kommusaar, Deputy Director General of Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (Estonia) 
  • Sophie Beau, Co-founder and General Director, SOS Méditerranée (France) 
  • Mahmoud Ezzat, Director of Center for Strategic Studies, Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Egypt)

11.30 – 11.45 Coffee Time

11.45 – 13.00 V Panel Discussion  “Ukraine, Moldova and the Future of European Security and Democracy”

Russia’s war against Ukraine has fundamentally reshaped the European security landscape and accelerated debates on democratic resilience, regional stability and the future of European cooperation. Ukraine and Moldova stand at the centre of these developments as both countries advance reforms and pursue European Union membership while facing significant security, political and societal challenges. This panel will explore how Ukraine’s and Moldova’s EU accession process is influencing the future of European security, democracy and regional cooperation. Particular attention will be given to the perspectives of Eastern Europe, the European Union and the Nordic-Baltic region, examining how democratic resilience, societal preparedness and international cooperation can contribute to long-term peace and stability. The discussion will address the implications of EU enlargement, the role of the European Union, NATO and Nordic-Baltic cooperation, and the contribution of civil society, independent media and local communities to democratic resilience, countering disinformation and strengthening public trust during times of geopolitical uncertainty.

Subtopics for discussion:

  • Ukraine, Moldova and the changing European security order
  • EU enlargement, reforms and democratic resilience
  • Nordic-Baltic and EU support for Ukraine and Moldova
  • Civil society, local communities and public trust in times of war and uncertainty
  • Countering disinformation and protecting democratic debate
  • Cross-border cooperation, reconstruction and long-term regional stability

Moderator: PhD (Habil.) Nikolai Tsvyatkov, Professor of Political Science, Moldova State University (Moldova) 

  • Gert Antsu, Estonian Ministry of Foriegn Affairs
  • Ukraine representative (TBA)
  • Victor Guzun, former Ambassador of Moldova to Estonia, digitalization policy expert, Institute for European Policies and Reforms, (Moldova)
  • Katy Cojuhari, Head of International Cooperation Geneva Center for Neutrality (Switzerland)
  • Margit Säre, Chairwomen of the Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation (Estonia)

13.00 – 14.00 Lunch

14.00 – 15.30 Two paralel panel discussions:

VI Panel discussion “Bridging Perspectives: Media Warfare, Resilience and Civil Society in a Changing Security Landscape”

This panel discussion explores how media, governments, international institutions and civil society can work together to respond to today’s complex security challenges, where information warfare, propaganda, fake narratives and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) increasingly weaken public trust, deepen social fragmentation and challenge democratic resilience. As Europe, the Nordic-Baltic region and the wider Euro-Mediterranean area face overlapping pressures from geopolitical tensions, hybrid threats, migration, economic instability and polarisation, the discussion will focus on strengthening resilience against hostile information influence while protecting freedom of expression, independent journalism and open public debate. The session will examine how media actors, state institutions and civil society organisations can better cooperate in identifying, countering and preventing manipulation, disinformation and harmful narratives. Special attention will be given to practical resilience initiatives, media literacy, strategic communication, fact-checking, community-based awareness work, inclusive governance and trust-building as essential tools for preventing conflict, managing crises and shaping sustainable security solutions that place people and communities at the centre.

Subtopics for discussion:

  • Information warfare, propaganda and FIMI as threats to democratic resilience
  • European and institutional responses to disinformation
  • Independent journalism, media literacy and fact-checking
  • Civil society, community awareness and inclusive governance

Moderator: Maia Klaassen, Junior Research Fellow in Media Literacy, Institute of Social Studies, University of Tartu, Coordinator of Baltic EDMO hub BECID 

  • Leif Lønsmann, Senior advisor and board member at the Nordic Journalist Centre (NJC)
  • Gunta Sloga, Executive Director of the Baltic Centre for Media Excellence (BCME) 
  • Representatives of the German Embassy resilience initiative;
  • British Council Latvia / UK embasy representative TBA
  • Representative of The European Commission.

VI Panel discussion “Soft Security in Practice: Civil Society, Media Resilience and Youth Participation Against Community Polarisation”

Hybrid threats, disinformation, AI-generated manipulation, hate speech and the growing polarisation of communities increasingly weaken public trust, democratic participation and social cohesion. In this changing information and security landscape, civil society organisations, youth networks, media practitioners, educators and researchers play an important role in strengthening soft security and democratic resilience. The discussion will focus on how non-formal education, media literacy, digital resilience, youth participation, cultural dialogue and democratic values can help build trust across linguistic, cultural, generational and social divides, reduce vulnerability to manipulation, empower young people as active contributors to resilience, and support cooperation between civil society, public institutions and international partners in building whole-of-society preparedness.

Subtopics for discussion:

  • Community polarisation and the role of civil society in rebuilding trust
  • Media literacy and digital resilience as everyday civic skills
  • Non-formal education as a tool for democratic resilience
  • Young people as bridge-builders in divided communities
  • Culture, inclusion and gender equality as part of soft security
  • Preventing radicalisation through trust, participation and belonging

Moderator: Dmitri Teperik, independent senior policy expert  and director of National Centre of Defence & Security Awareness (Estonia)

  • Oksana Belova-Dalton, Research Fellow in International Relations at the University of Tartu
  • Chrysa Vlachopoulou, British Council, Development & Operations Manager / Youth Connect Programme (TBC)
  • Karl Mattias Sepp, Deputy Secretary-General, YATA Estonia
  • Representative TBA

15.30 – 15.40 Elaborating Narva Declaration language on “Narva Declaration on Societal Resilience and the Strengthening of Human-Centred Security” (2026)

15.40 – 15.45 The concluding remarks of the Conference by moderator: Amb. Hatem Attallah.

16.00 – 22.00 Free time and Culture Programme

  • visiting Estonian Museums (Vaivara Museum and Sillamäe City Museum or Mining Museum in Kohtla Nõmme at 17.00pm)
  • visiting Estonian civil society organisations and creative residents in Ida-Virumaa
  • visiting Gala Concerts in Rugodiv Culturehouse at 20.00 pm “Where Sounds and Actions Meet in Estonia” and the “Day of the Mediterranean” 

DAY THREE. Sunday, 29th November 2026. OFFICIAL CONFERENCE DAY at the Narva College of Tartu University, Narva

  • 09.00– 09.30 Official Presentation and adoption of Conference Declaration on Societal Resilience and the Strengthening of Human-Centred Security
  • 09.30 – 10.00 Summary of the agreements
  • 10.00 – 12.00 Networking and Visiting Narva Museum & Raekoda 
  • 12.00 – 13.00 Official closing lunch
  • 13.00 – 16.00 Departure to Tallinn (arrival in airport and city Centre), Bus to the airport

  • Organisers reserve the right to make changes to the programme.

    Join us virtually on the 27th and 28th November 2026 at Zoom Conference