Central European University

02/06/2026

What will it take to defend and rethink human rights in a fractured world?

Join us for the fourth event in CEU's 35th Anniversary Presidential Lecture Series, featuring Binaifer Nowrojee, President of the Open Society Foundations, for a lecture on 'Reimagining Human Rights for an Uncertain World'.

Drawing on decades of experience at the forefront of human rights advocacy, Nowrojee will explore why the future of human rights is not only a legal or institutional challenge, but a political one that requires new ways of thinking about justice, equity and collective action.

The lecture will be moderated by CEU President and Rector Carsten Q. Schneider.

📅 June 18, 2026 from 5:30 PM
📍 CEU campus, Vienna
Register at: https://events.ceu.edu/2026-06-18/reimagining-human-rights-uncertain-world

We look forward to welcoming you to this timely conversation on the future of human rights in an increasingly uncertain world.

02/06/2026

Only 3 days left! 🚀

Apply now to the Democracy Institute Leadership Academy (DILA) 2026, a three-month, part-time leadership program.

02/06/2026

CEU at PRIDE RUN Vienna 🏳️‍🌈🏃‍♂️🏳️‍⚧️

On Saturday, May 30, our colleagues joined the Pride Run Vienna at Prater Hauptallee for a 5 km run celebrating diversity, inclusion, and community. Runners, walkers, and supporters took part in a vibrant atmosphere of solidarity and togetherness, highlighting the importance of visibility and equality in public life.

As part of the lead-up to Vienna’s Regenbogenparade, the Pride Run offered a meaningful opportunity to engage with one of the city’s key Pride events and to stand together in support of inclusion and respect for all.

28/05/2026

Is Europe taking the Trump threat seriously enough?

That was one of the central questions at our latest Presidential Lecture Series on May 26, where political scientist Cas Mudde delivered the talk "Europe Under Trump: Challenges and Opportunities" as part of CEU's 35th Anniversary celebrations.

Mudde, one of the world's leading scholars on far-right and populist politics, made a clear case: Europe must accept the fundamental threat posed by the Trump administration and put the defense of liberal democracy front and center.

The lecture was hosted by CEU Interim President and Rector Carsten Q. Schneider, who framed it well: "No democracy can survive, let alone thrive, without promoting and protecting the fundamental right to question dogma through fearless critique with the tools of knowledge and learning."

A timely and necessary conversation. Watch the full lecture on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE0lX8UJcE4

Photo credit: CEU / Daniel Vegel

28/05/2026

🌍 CEU Kicks Off Preparations for the 2027 Favoriten Climate Festival

On 27 May 2026, CEU hosted the kick-off and matchmaking event for the upcoming Favoriten Climate Festival (4 June 2027) welcomed a vibrant community committed to climate action and education.

The event was opened by Marcus Franz, Mayor of Favoriten, followed by inspiring remarks from Prof. Anke Schaffartzik (CEU), Horst Pintarich (Vienna Board of Education), and Matthieu Floret (Festival Organising Committee).

More than 50 participants—including teachers, NGO practitioners, researchers, and academics—joined forces, representing 15+ schools and 20 organisations.

🌱 What’s ahead?
The 2027 festival will focus on inclusive, democratic climate policies and education for all. Through collaborative educational stands, partners will create interactive, accessible learning experiences designed to engage diverse communities across Favoriten and beyond.

The initiative is coordinated by the CEU Science for Society Hub, Student Engagement Office, and the Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, strengthening local action in the spirit of an open society.

👉 Get involved!
CEU students, faculty, and staff are warmly invited to join the planning and implementation process:
📩 [email protected]
📩 [email protected]

Photo credit: CEU / Sotiris Bekas

26/05/2026

Happening today at 18:30 CET: CEU's Presidential Lecture Series continues with political scientist Cas Mudde.

Since Trump's return to the White House, the relationship between the US and Europe has shifted in ways that are still unfolding. In this public lecture, Cas Mudde explores what this means for liberal democracy, the EU, and transatlantic relations, and whether Europe is ready to face this new political reality.

Mudde is one of the world's leading scholars on populism and far-right politics, and a professor at the University of Georgia.

Watch the livestream here 👇
https://www.youtube.com/live/6FGmJSCNvO4

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMThe Office of the President and Rector at Central European University is pleased to present the third event in the C...

21/05/2026

Two CEU students took their ideas straight to the European Parliament.

On April 20, Giulia Rebecca Conte (BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) and Maria Yesayan (Department of Public Policy) represented CIVICA at the 2026 European Student Assembly in Strasbourg, joining more than 250 students from across Europe to debate pressing challenges and develop policy recommendations on democracy, digital transformation, education, and social inclusion.

Read their reflections on student participation, higher education, and why young people's voices matter in European policymaking.

🔗 https://www.ceu.edu/news/2026-05/shaping-europe-2026-european-student-assembly

19/05/2026

A weekend for the books. 💙

222 alumni from 41 countries, one Vienna campus, and more hugs, laughter, and shared memories than we can count. The Alumni Reunion 2026 was everything we hoped it would be and more.

Thank you to everyone who came back. See you next time.

Photos by CEU / Daniel Vegel
Find more of them at https://flickr.com/photos/weareceu/albums/72177720333656805/with/55271471780

19/05/2026

Applications are open for the CEU Democracy Institute Leadership Academy (DILA) 2026!

DILA is a three-month, part-time leadership program for mid-career public leaders from Central Europe, Southern Europe and the Western Balkans. Fellows work with international scholars and experienced practitioners on democratic governance, strategic thinking, and the real challenges facing European democracies today.

We're looking for local and national leaders, political party representatives, civil society activists, and policy experts who are committed to defending and strengthening democracy.

Application deadline: June 5, 2026

🔗 democracyinstitute.ceu.edu/articles/dila-call-2026

15/05/2026

Last week, we hosted a press breakfast on campus for around a dozen environmental journalists from, among others, Wiener Zeitung, Table.Media, Datum, and Salzburger Nachrichten, on one of today’s most urgent questions: is conflict accelerating the green transition, or locking the world deeper into fossil fuel dependence?

The stars of our Environmental Science and Policy Department, Aleh Cherp, Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, and Michael LaBelle, shared their insights on how the Russian war in Ukraine and the Gulf are reshaping global energy systems and climate action.

Want to dig deeper? Our experts are available for interviews and research consultations.

📩 [email protected]