Building Resilient Democracies in Challenging Times

Presented by Vanderbilt University’s Center for Global Democracy, in partnership with Americas Quarterly

Thursday, September 24, 2026
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

The Refectory at Vanderbilt University – New York City
440 West 21st Street, New York, NY 10011

Seating is limited. Please register by Thursday, September 17.

Register now

Join Vanderbilt University’s Center for Global Democracy for an evening reception and conversation with internationally recognized leaders advancing the study and practice of democracy. The discussion will explore the challenges and opportunities facing democracy at home and abroad, and the evidence needed to strengthen democratic resilience.

The Center for Global Democracy is part of Discovery Vanderbilt, the university-wide initiative that advances the reach and impact of Vanderbilt research.

WELCOME

Jason Merchant
Searcy Family Dean, College of Arts and Science, Vanderbilt University

MODERATOR
Elizabeth J. Zechmeister
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Growth Initiatives and Dean of the Graduate School, Vanderbilt University

FEATURING

Noam Lupu
Director, Center for Global Democracy
Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of Political Science, Vanderbilt University

Kevin Casas-Zamora
Former Vice President and Minister of National Planning, Costa Rica
Secretary-General, International IDEA

Larry Diamond
Senior Fellow, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University
Founding Co-Editor, Journal of Democracy

Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Professor of History and Italian Studies, New York University
Author of Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present