27.-29.10.2025 (online, all times CET)

In times of crisis, societies face not only physical threats but also waves of misinformation that undermine trust and democratic stability. Protecting data, ensuring cybersecurity, and safeguarding European values are now essential pillars of resilience. This event brings together researchers and innovators to explore how we can strengthen democracy while remaining competitive in a rapidly shifting global landscape. By fostering dialogue on crisis preparedness, social trust, and dual-use technologies, we aim to balance openness with security. Join us to shape a future where resilience, competitiveness, and European values reinforce each other.

The event is co-organized by Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz and University of Latvia in Riga

Open Link for all the sessions: Alliances for Resilience

Alliances for Resilience Matchmaking October 2025_abstracts (for download)

Agenda Overview

DAY 1 – Systems & Threats

09:00 – 10:00 | Introduction

Welcome Note: Prof. Dr. Guntars Kiltenberg, Vice Rector for Research, University of Latvia in Riga 

Keynote:

Invited Speaker: Doris Schröcker, Head of Unit Industrial Research, Strategy and Coordination (E.1), DG Research & Innovation

Moderation: Dr. Nicole Birkle, General Secretary FORTHEM

10:00–12:00 | Session 1: Critical Infrastructures & Digital Attacks

Speaker: 

10:00  Klaas de Boer, State Chancellery of Rhineland-Palatinate, Representation of the State to the Federal Government and to the European Union

• Title: As open as possible as closed as necessary: The resilience of critical infrastructures

13:00–15:00 | Session 2: Information Resilience & Manipulations

Speakers:

13:00 Dr. Nicoleta-Annemarie Munteanu, Lucian Blaga University Sibiu (FORTHEM Alliance)

• Title: Artificial Intelligence and the Regulation of Disinformation. A Transatlantic Policy Study.

13:30 Prof. Turo Uskali, University of Jyväskylä (FORTHEM Alliance)

• Title: How to protect critical infrastructures against hybrid threads?

14:00 Robert Pawlita, PhD student at the Doctoral School of the University of Opole, Political Science

• Title: Considerations on disinformation in political communication. Conclusions from study: Far-right Eurosceptics and Russian disinformation: analysis of speeches in the EP by members of the I&D Group on the Russian-Ukrainian war

Moderation: Dr. Agnese Rusakova, Policy Officer FORTHEM

DAY 2 – Preparing for the Unexpected

10:00–12:00 | Session 3: Crisis Preparedness & Early Response

Speaker:

10:00 Prof. Julio Gonzalez, Center of Integrated Emergency Management (CIEM), Universität Agder, Norway (FORTHEM Alliance)

• Title: Management of Systemic Risk in Disasters

Moderation: Dr. Agnese Rusakova, Policy Officer FORTHEM

13:00–15:00 | Session 4: Social Resilience & Community Security

Speakers:

13:00 Dr. Tijana Karić, Philipps University Marburg (EUPeace)

• Title: The Double-Edged Concept of Societal Resilience: From Collective Empowerment to Neoliberal Responsibilization

13:30 Delia Stefenel (Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania, FORTHEM Alliance), Mihai Ilie Balaban (Unimat & Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania)

• Title: Understanding Professional Stress and Organizational Resilience in Times of Crisis: Lessons from the Romanian Business Sector

Moderation: Dr. Nicole Birkle, General Secretary FORTHEM

DAY 3 – Futures & Ethics

10:00–12:00 | Session 5: Dual-Use Technology & Ethical Frontiers

Speaker:  Dr. Ivana Stepanovic, Kőszeg Institute of Advanced Studies

• Title: Ethics as Security: Pathways for Responsible Tech Governance

Focus of the session: Surveillance, AI ethics, drones, biotech, governance

Moderation: Dr. Agnese Rusakova, Policy Officer FORTHEM

13:00–15:00 | Closing Forum: Matchmaking Outcomes & Next Steps

• Reflections from each session
• Open floor: Collaboration pitch sign-ups
• Launch of a matchmaking directory
• Future calls & follow-up actions

Moderation: Dr. Nicole Birkle, General Secretary FORTHEM

You are interested, then register until October 27, 2025 !