Political Lessons from Greece: A Case of Unlikely Democratic Resilience

Theme: Political Lessons from Greece: A Case of Unlikely Democratic Resilience

Hosted by the Peaceful, Secure and Empowered Societies (PSES) Interdisciplinary Research Theme at the University of Glasgow, and the Greek Politics Specialist Group (GPSG) of the Political Studies Association (PSA), this event will revisit Greece’s crisis decade as a complex and uneven process marked by resilience, adaptation, and significant costs. Once widely portrayed as the emblem of Eurozone crisis mismanagement, Greece experienced deep austerity, external constraint, and social dislocation that tested the limits of democratic consent and institutional trust.

This symposium aims to reframe Greece not as a symbol of crisis, but as a laboratory of democratic resilience, demonstrating how democratic systems endure prolonged stress, how reform is negotiated under constraint, and what is lost as well as preserved in the process. It asks what kind of resilience emerged, for whom, and at what long-term social and political cost.

Programme Overview (please note that times may change)

• Welcome (10:00) – by a senior University of Glasgow representative.
• Opening Remarks (10:30–11.00) – former Greek Prime Minister George A. Papandreou will deliver keynote reflections on Greece’s political journey during and after the crisis years, setting the tone for the day’s discussions.
• Tea/Coffee (11.00 – 11.30)
• Three Interactive Roundtables (11.30 - 16:30) Each session will feature short interventions (8–10 minutes each) followed by moderated discussion between the panellists, former Greek Prime Minister George A. Papandreou, and the audience:

1. Economy, Governance & Crisis Management (11.30 – 12.30; followed by buffet lunch)
2. Greece in Europe and the World: Peace, Security & Alliances (13.30 – 14.30 + coffee)
3. Democracy and Progressive Values: Rights, Trust & Protest (15.00 – 16.00)

• Closing Reflections (16.00 – 16.30) - Summary and concluding remarks.

This event is taking place in-person at the University of Glasgow. Catering will be provided. Full programme, including speaker names and session topics, will be released closer to the event date.

Stevenson Trust Evening Event

In Conversation with George A. Papandreou: Democracy, Crisis and Resilience

How do democracies navigate periods of deep crisis? What lessons – positive, ambivalent, or cautionary – can Europe draw from Greece’s turbulent decade? Join us for a special In Conversation event with former Greek Prime Minister George A. Papandreou, reflecting on leadership, governance, and democratic resilience in an era of global uncertainty. The event will include a moderated Q&A with opportunities for both in-person and online audiences to participate.

About George A. Papandreou

George A. Papandreou is a Member of the Hellenic Parliament, former Prime Minister of Greece (2009–2011), and Rapporteur for Democracy at the Council of Europe. He also serves as Chair of the International Olympic Truce Centre, and has held academic appointments including Visiting Fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics.

Across his career, he has been recognised internationally for his commitment to democratic reform, peace-building, and cross-cultural dialogue. As Foreign Minister, he played a central role in the rapprochement between Greece and Turkey, earning global acclaim.