Open Markets & ARTICLE 19 to Convene High-Level Democracy Conference in Brussels
October 15 at Residence Palace
October 16 at European Parliament
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept 11, 2025
CONTACTS:
woolheater@openmarketsinstitute.org
Katia.Mierzejewska@article19.org
BRUSSELS - On 15-16 October, the Open Markets Institute and ARTICLE 19 will convene a high-level two-day conference of leading thinkers, lawmakers, technologists, and advocates (see speakers listed below) to discuss the direct and growing threats to our democracies and basic liberties posed by today’s dominant online communications platforms, the rise of AI, and interference by foreign states.
This conference could not be timelier. In many ways, the fight to protect freedom of speech and thought online is key to prevailing in today’s great battle for democracy. As the New York Times put it recently: “Trump Wants Europe to Stop Regulating Big Tech: Will it Bend?”
When & Where:
15 October at the Residence Palace
16 October at the European Parliament
Speakers:
Maria Ressa (journalist, Winner of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize)
Mario Monti (former Prime Minister of Italy, former EU Competition Commissioner)
Michael McGrath (European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection)
Margrethe Vestager (former EU Competition Commissioner)
Cory Booker (US Senator from New Jersey)
Clara Chappaz (Minister of State for Digital Affairs, France)
Alexandra Geese (Member of the European Parliament, Greens/EFA)
Andreas Schwab (Member of the European Parliament, EPP)
Chi Onwurah (Member of Parliament, UK House of Commons)
Jonathan Kanter (former Assistant Attorney General at the US DOJ)
David Kaye (former UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression)
Alberto Alemanno (Jean Monnet Professor in EU Law at HEC Paris)
Amba Kak (Co-Executive Director, AI Now Institute)
Bart Butler (Chief Technology Officer, Proton)
Press interested in attending should RSVP to woolheater@openmarketsinstitute.org.
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