Democracy under pressure: VUB students in conversation with Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer and Karen Celis

Is our democracy at a tipping point? That question is at the centre of a conversation between writer and opinion maker Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer and VUB professor of political science Karen Celis. Afterwards, students will enter into a direct dialogue with Pfeijffer on the future of democracy.

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel invites press and students to this topical debate, which is part of PACT, the Pauwels Academy of Critical Thinking. The occasion is Pfeijffer's recent book Absolute Democracy, in which he examines how democratic values come under pressure, often in the name of democracy itself.

Together with Karen Celis, he will discuss themes such as populism, growing inequality and the pressure on the rule of law and truth. Afterwards, students will have the floor to ask questions and help think about how democracy can be future-proofed.

Practical

Tuesday 21 April 2026
​12:00 doors
​12:30 Conversation between Karen Celis and Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer on the tipping point in democracy
​13:00 Conversation with students on ideas to future-proof democracy. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 14:00 End ​

VUB Main Campus Etterbeek: Pilar, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Ixelles

About the speakers
​Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer is one of the most prominent voices in Dutch-language literature and public debate. He broke through as a poet and gained wide recognition with La Superba and Alkibiades, among others. Based in Genoa, he writes essays and columns on the state of Europe and democracy.

Karen Celis is Professor of Political Science at the VUB and head of the Democratic Futures research group. Her research focuses on how democracy can be organised more inclusively and equitably.

About PACT
​PACT, the Pauwels Academy of Critical Thinking, is an initiative of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel committed to critical thinking, dialogue and civic engagement.

Journalists are welcome to attend this event. Please register in advance at ​ Tineke.Sonck@vub.be. Interviews can also be arranged through her on request only.

Tineke Sonck

Tineke Sonck

Woordvoerder

 

 

 

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About Press - Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Vrije Universiteit Brussel is an internationally oriented university in Brussels, the heart of Europe. By providing excellent research and education on a human scale, VUB wants to make an active and committed contribution to a better society.

The World Needs You

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel assumes its scientific and social responsibility with love and decisiveness. That’s why VUB launched the platform De Wereld Heeft Je Nodig – The World Needs You, which brings together ideas, actions and projects based on six Ps. The first P stands for People, because that’s what it’s all about: giving people equal opportunities, prosperity, welfare, respect. Peace is about fighting injustice, big and small, in the world. Prosperity combats poverty and inequality. Planet stands for actions on biodiversity, climate, air quality, animal rights... With Partnership, VUB is looking for joint actions to make the world a better place. The sixth and last P is for Poincaré, the French philosopher Henri Poincaré, from whom VUB derives its motto that thinking should submit to nothing except the facts themselves. VUB is an ‘urban engaged university’, strongly anchored in Brussels and Europe and working according to the principles of free research.

www.vub.be/dewereldheeftjenodig

 


Contact

Pleinlaan 2 1050 Brussel

02 / 629.11.38

tineke.sonck@vub.be

www.vub.ac.be