Events

BRIDGE’s event programme is designed to promote democratic participation, EU values, and evidence-based dialogue across academia, civil society, and policymaking circles. The events are structured around both annual public engagement initiatives and specialized thematic workshops, ensuring broad societal reach and academic depth.

Europe Day & Human Rights Week

Each year, BRIDGE organizes Europe Day (May) and Human Rights Week (December) on the Özyeğin University campus. These celebrations feature public lectures, film screenings, artistic exhibitions, and panel discussions on European identity, inclusion, and sustainability. The events engage students, academics, policymakers, and the general public in discussions about EU values, civic rights, and the future of European democracy. Guest speakers include EU Delegation officials, human rights advocates, and journalists. Through these flagship events, BRIDGE strengthens public understanding of the European Union’s principles of freedom, equality, and solidarity, while providing students with a platform for active participation.

Policy Roundtables

Annual policy roundtables bring together representatives from EU embassies, civil-society organizations, think tanks, and local governance bodies. Each session addresses a major policy theme—migration governance, digital democracy, or climate resilience—and results in a set of actionable policy recommendations. The format encourages direct dialogue between researchers and policymakers, ensuring that academic findings translate into tangible governance innovation. Student volunteers from the BRIDGE network assist in coordination, gaining experience in EU affairs and policy communication.

Workshops & Training Seminars

BRIDGE organizes a series of training workshops for both professionals and students:

• Policy Training Workshop I: Migration and Governance in the EU
  Examines EU migration frameworks, local governance, and the role of civil society in integration.

• Policy Training Workshop II: Digital Democracy and Political Participation
  Explores the impact of AI and digital platforms on democracy and citizen engagement.

• Policy Training Workshop III: Climate Policy and Sustainability in the EU
  Focuses on the European Green Deal, climate-induced migration, and sustainable governance.

• Complementing these, student-focused educational workshops—on democracy, human rights, and digital transformation—equip young participants with civic and analytical skills to navigate Europe’s evolving governance landscape. Each session hosts 50–75 participants and integrates case studies and interactive simulations.

Future of Democracy Conference

The final Future of Democracy Conference, to be held in Istanbul in 2028, is BRIDGE’s flagship dissemination event. Bringing together more than 100 participants—academics, policymakers, and civil-society leaders—it will examine emerging trends in democratic governance, polarization, and EU integration. The conference outcomes will be documented in publicly available reports, ensuring long-term policy relevance and scholarly visibility. As part of the Jean Monnet network, the conference will connect Turkish and European institutions, fostering cross-border cooperation and shared learning.

All BRIDGE events are guided by three core principles: civic participation, democratic resilience, and policy relevance. They ensure that the Centre’s academic work translates into real-world dialogue and sustainable impact.