Democracy & Institutions Summer School

2026 Parliamentary Democracy in Europe

"Parliaments and war: from diplomacy to security"

For the 3rd consecutive year the ELGU collaborates with Luiss School of Government, for the Summer Program in Parliamentary Democracy in Europe, organized by the Luiss School of Government, in collaboration with the Luiss Center for Parliamentary Studies (CESP) and with the European Law & Governance University (ELGU)

Online applications for this program are now closed. For help, please contact info@elgs.eu.

2026 Parliamentary Democracy in Europe

in collaboration with LUISS School of Goverment

in collaboration with LUISS School of Goverment
Program Democracy & Institutions Summer School
Language English
Duration 4 days
Running Period 13 - 17 July, 2026
Location(s) Rome

For the 3rd consecutive year the ELGU collaborates with Luiss School of Government, for the Summer Program in Parliamentary Democracy in Europe, organized by the Luiss School of Government, in collaboration with the Luiss Center for Parliamentary Studies (CESP) and with the European Law & Governance School (ELGS) , will take place in 13-17 July 2026. This year topic is “Parliaments and war: from diplomacy to security”.

War and security crises have returned to the centre of the European and global political agenda, raising fundamental questions about the role of parliaments in times of conflict and emergency. From foreign policy and diplomatic action to defence governance and intelligence oversight, legislatures are increasingly called upon to operate in complex and rapidly evolving contexts.

Parliaments are therefore confronted with significant challenges, both in terms of institutional balance and democratic accountability. The exercise of legislative and oversight functions becomes particularly delicate in areas such as military operations, security policies, and international cooperation, where the need for effectiveness must be reconciled with the principles of transparency, constitutionalism, and the rule of law.

By applying research-based knowledge and professional skills to the study of the role of parliaments in situations of war and security crises, the Summer Program offers a comprehensive and updated overview of these dynamics. This Advanced Course provides participants with the analytical tools necessary to understand how parliamentary institutions respond to contemporary geopolitical challenges.

Designed for

  • graduates (bachelor’s or master’s) , doctoral students and post-docs active in the field of constitutional law, human rights, political science, parliamentary and legislative studies, European studies, and international affairs (preferably with a background in social sciences)
  • civil servants from European institutions and bodies, international organizations, and national and subnational institutions
  • professionals working in NGOs, think tanks, and interest groups interested in parliamentary responses to major geopolitical transformations

The Summer Program will include lectures and interactive activities, such as exercises, discussions, and institutional visits.

The EPLO Day an important component of the program

The EPLO/ELGU Day constitutes a distinct academic component of the ELGU/LUISS Summer School, aimed at enriching the program with a focused perspective on European public law and governance. Within the framework of “Parliamentary Democracy in Europe: Parliaments and War from Diplomacy to Security,” it provides a space for critical reflection on the role of parliaments in times of crisis, bringing together academic insight and practical experience. By combining expert-led discussions with institutional exposure, the EPLO/ELGU Day deepens the program’s core theme, linking theoretical analysis with the realities of parliamentary practice and reinforcing the importance of democratic accountability in a shifting global geopolitical landscape.

During the “EPLO -ELGU Day” participants will engage in a full day of intensive academic activities in Rome, hosted at the ELGS premises in Trastevere (Piazza di Porta Portese 6). The program is designed to foster in-depth dialogue between scholars and practitioners, offering a structured combination of lectures and discussions focused on the evolving role of parliaments in times of crisis. Through expert-led lectures and discussions, participants will examine how contemporary geopolitical tensions are redefining parliamentary responsibilities, including oversight of executive action, legislative responses to security challenges, and the protection of fundamental democratic principles. Particular emphasis is placed on how parliamentary institutions respond to war-related challenges, navigate the intersection between diplomacy and security, and uphold democratic accountability under conditions of heightened geopolitical pressure.

The academic component will be complemented by institutional visits. The day’s activities will conclude with a group dinner, providing an opportunity for informal exchange and networking among participants and speakers.

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