The Christian Democratic Institute organised a dinner in Brussels titled “Living in a Civilizational Moment – Challenges and Opportunities.” The event brought together invited guests for a discussion on the civilizational challenges and opportunities facing Europe today.

The keynote address was delivered by Ellen Kryger Fantini, managing editor and co-founder of The European Conservative. The evening was hosted by Dr. Andreja Valič Zver, President of the Board of Trustees of the Christian Democratic Institute.

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CDI contributed to the organisation of the conference “Helping Persecuted Christians – A Shared Civilizational Mission for the U.S. and Hungary” in cooperation with Hungary Helps, the Foundation for a Civic Hungary, the Center for Fundamental Rights, and CPAC.

Speakers included Márton Veisz, Zsolt Németh, Mercedes Schlapp, Tristan Azbej, Sylvia Guzman, Rod Dreher, and Bryan Leib. The conference created a platform for substantive discussion on the protection of persecuted Christian communities and the broader civilizational responsibility attached to that mission.

CDI attended the presentation of the Hungarian edition of Janez Janša’s book Budnica (“Awakening”) in Lendava. The event was organised by the Dr. Jože Pučnik Institute and the Municipality of Lendava.

Speakers included Dr. Milan Zver and Dr. Vinko Gorenak, who reflected on the main themes of the book and its broader context. The Hungarian edition was published in cooperation with Méry Ratio.

In Budnica (“Awakening”), former Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša reflects on major questions shaping Europe today, including the future of the continent, the importance of freedom and sovereignty, the role of Central Europe, and the political and geopolitical challenges of the present.

The volume offers a timely perspective on the ideas and debates shaping contemporary Europe. The Hungarian edition was published in cooperation with Méry Ratio. More information about the book is available here.

CDI participated in the 17th Pučnik Symposium in Slovenska Bistrica, held in the Knights’ Hall of the historic castle. The event was organised by the Dr. Jože Pučnik Institute in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, the European Platform of Memory and Conscience, and the Municipality of Slovenska Bistrica.

Participants included Janez Janša, former Prime Minister of Slovenia and current prime ministerial candidate. Alejandro Peña, CDI’s leading expert, delivered a keynote address on global geopolitical developments and the role of Latin America.

CDI visited the House of Terror Museum in Budapest together with several ambassadors from Latin America. The programme offered a powerful insight into two tragic periods of Hungarian history and the suffering caused by 20th-century totalitarian regimes.

The visit also included a guided tour by Dr. Rajmund Fekete, PhD, Director of the Institute for the Research of Communism. The event underscored the importance of historical memory in safeguarding freedom and human dignity.

On 24 February 2026, CDI held its next Christian Democratic Leaders’ Roundtable in Vienna at the St. Johanns Club. The initiative brings together like-minded Christian democratic leaders and partners to strengthen informal cooperation and encourage joint initiatives across Europe.

The keynote speaker was Prof. Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network, who addressed the question “What is the Rule of Law and Who is Undermining it?” His presentation was followed by a substantive discussion on how rule-of-law standards can be defended consistently and credibly in the current political and social context.

CDI attended the Madrid launch of La maldición del aclamo, the Spanish edition of The Curse of Popularity. As CDI’s first research project, the volume brings together fifteen authors from six countries to examine the concept of populism and its contemporary relevance.

The Spanish edition was made available with the support of the Center for Fundamental Rights’ office in Spain, helping make the volume accessible to Spanish-speaking readers.

CDI is participating in the Transatlantic Summit for Values 2026 in Brussels. The summit brings together political representatives and civil society leaders from across the Atlantic to discuss shared values and practical avenues for cooperation.

CDI co-hosted the 8th Conservative Ladies’ Breakfast with the Foundation for a Civic Hungary, welcoming Ambassador Katalin Bogyay as guest speaker. Drawing on her experience as Hungary’s Ambassador to the United Nations in New York and to UNESCO in Paris, she shared reflections on Hungary’s international role and current global developments.

The discussion brought together nearly 40 participants, including six ambassadors from Latin America, Asia, and Turkey, and created an engaging exchange of views.