Alumni event | Cleveringa meeting Leiden 2025
Democracy under Threat
- Date
- Thursday 27 November 2025
- Time
- Location
- Academiegebouw
Rapenburg 73
Leiden
In the aftermath of the Second World War, democracy became the assumed norm across Western Europe. Dictatorships were viewed as relics of the past – underdeveloped, uncivilized, and not part of our world. But recent global developments have shaken that confidence, reminding us of a hard-earned lesson from the 1930s: democracy is not invincible. It can be eroded from within. In fact, as Aristotle warned even much longer ago, when the rule of law is neglected, democracies become dangerously susceptible to demagogues. A democracy can, in fact, destroy itself.
This year’s Leiden Cleveringa Meeting invites you to examine the fragility of democratic systems. We will explore both internal weaknesses and external threats, and ask: How can we safeguard our institutions and strengthen democratic resilience? What roles should democratic institutions play? Is there a responsibility for the military? And what part can—and must—we in Academia play?
Speakers: Prof.dr. Sarah de Lange, prof.mr. Ferd Grapperhaus and dr. Marenne Mei Jansen
Language: English
Join us for a timely and urgent conversation about the future of democracy.
Programme
| Date | Thursday November 27 |
| Location | Academy Building, Rapenburg 73 (optional dinner: Catena, Kolfmakersteeg 8, at 18:00) |
| Time | 18:00 Dinner at VSL Catena (optional*) Registration dinner is closed 19:30 Coffee and tea at Academy Building for those attending in person 20:00 Start of the debate and online streaming 21.15 End of event and online streaming, start drinks for those attending in person * The number of seats to join dinner is limited |
| Costs | € 15,50 p.p. for LUF Student Members (coffee, lecture & drinks) € 18,- p.p. for other students (coffee, lecture & drinks) € 21,50 p.p. for alumni (coffee, lecture & drinks) € 51,50 p.p. for alumni (dinner, coffee, lecture & drinks) Registration dinner is closed Online streaming: no costs |
| Registration | To attend the live event: register (After 4:00 pm today this registration will be closed but you can come to the Academy building at 7:30 pm and registrate and pay) To attend the online streaming: register (After 4:00 pm today this registration will be closed but you can watch the Cleveringa meeting on this site from 8:00 pm) |
Please note that by registering for this event you consent to the fact that you may appear in the livestream and/or you may be featured in photographs taken to promote future Cleveringa Meetings.
For further questions and information, please contact us at cleveringa@luf.leidenuniv.nl.
