In dialogue with the public

The Aarau Democracy Days address and debate current political issues. This annual event consists of an evening program and an academic conference. The Aarau Democracy Days are aimed at representatives from academia, politics, and the media, as well as the general public.

Program 2026

The topic of the recent Aarau Democracy Days was «Trust and Democracy.»

Program 2026

Download slides scientific conference «Democracy without trust?»

«Social Capital and Democracy: Revisiting the Relationship with Panel Data»

Dr. Julian Erhardt, University of Salzburg

«Two Sides of the Same Coin? The Judicialisation of Politics and the Politicisation of the Judiciary»

Prof. Dr. Lorenz Langer, Center for Democracy Studies Aarau

«How Does the Meaning of Political Distrust Evolve? Evidence from the UK»

Prof. Dr. Eri Bertsou, University of St. Gallen (HSG)

«Working together internationally in supporting trust in institutions»

Dr. Andrea Iff, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

«Political trust and the functioning of democracy»

Prof. Dr. Tom van der Meer, University of Amsterdam

«Political Trust and Democracy»

Dr. Daniel Devine, University of Southampton

«Citizens’ initiatives in Europe: Trust in the people’s judgement and trust in institutions»

Prof. Dr. Daniel Moeckli, University of Zurich

«The Role of Schools in Adolescents’ Political Trust»

Dr. Lies Maurissen, Indiville

«Is political trust learned or earned? Developmental insights from adolescents and the role of parents and schools.»

PhD Candidate Linde Stals, KU Leuven

«Does political distrust drive democratic backsliding?»

Dr. Viktor Valgarðsson, University of Iceland

«Not Just Mirror Images: How Trust and Distrust Form Through Public Service Experiences»

Dr. Lisanne de Blok, Netherlands Institute of Social Statistics

«When trust falters, are citizens expected to carry the load? Political trust and pollution responsibility attribution across African contexts»

PhD Candidate Ella Henninger, ETH Zurich

«Beyond Misinformation: Perception, Reality, AI, and the Challenge of News Deprivation»

Prof. Dr. Mark Eisenegger, University of Zurich

«Digital Citizenship Education in the Age of AI»

Dr. Manuel Hubacher, Center for Democracy Studies Aarau

«The Cure Worse than the Disease? Negative Consequences of Interventions Against Misinformation & How to Overcome Them»

Dr. Emma Hoes, University of Zurich

Aarau Democracy Days 2027

The next Aarau Democracy Days will take place April 8–9, 2027, with the theme «Education and Democracy». More information about the program and our guests will be available soon on our other channels.

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Past Aarau Democracy Days

The Aarau Democracy Days have been held annually without interruption since 2009. We can now look back on a rich array of topics and debates. Click here to access the archive dating back to the very beginning.

In dialogue with the public

Review 2026

Program 2026

Article about the evening event in the Aargauer Zeitung

Speech by Federal Chancellor Viktor Rossi

Thank you very much!

Download slides scientific conference «Democracy without trust?»

«Social Capital and Democracy: Revisiting the Relationship with Panel Data»

«Two Sides of the Same Coin? The Judicialisation of Politics and the Politicisation of the Judiciary»

«How Does the Meaning of Political Distrust Evolve? Evidence from the UK»

«Working together internationally in supporting trust in institutions»