The European Parliament in Brussels will host the VII Transatlantic Summit, to be held on February 2 and 3, 2026, bringing together political representatives, civic leaders, and experts from the Americas, Africa, and Europe to address the challenges facing the exercise of freedom of expression today.

The summit is co-organized by the Political Network for Values (PNfV) and the parliamentary groups of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and Patriots for Europe, under the title: “Freedom of expression vs. controlled discourse – strengthening the pillars of democracy.”

In several countries—and even entire regions such as Europe—there is a worrying trend toward restricting freedom of expression and imposing a single, controlled discourse from those in power. The assassination of Charlie Kirk, for example, highlighted the serious challenges faced by those who openly defend human dignity and fundamental freedoms, explains Stephen Bartulica, Member of the European Parliament and President of PNfV.

“Freedom of expression is not a privilege that is granted, but a right that must be recognized and protected; it is one of the foundations of any truly free and democratic society. Without the free speech, debate, and dissent, all other rights are weakened and democracy loses its meaning”, he stresses.

Lola Velarde, executive director of PNfV, recalls that the right to peacefully and respectfully express one’s convictions is the heritage of all, as explicitly recognized and enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“We are convinced that this trend against freedom of expression is not irreversible. We can change it. It is time to respond together, which is why we are convening the VII Transatlantic Summit, to join forces—with the members, friends, and allies of the Network—and influence the international political scene, marking a change of course that guarantees a future in which dialogue and open debate are respected,” she explains.

In alliance

The VII Transatlantic Summit is an initiative co-organized by PNfV, European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) and Patriots for Europe; In addition to the dialog session, there will be a welcome reception and a closing reception, both aimed at networking outside Parliament, and the Youth Program, which will offer training with leading experts to 45 young leaders from 23 countries.

Among the speakers at the Summit and at the networking and training events, in addition to senior government representatives, legislators, and political leaders, are leaders from the following allied organizations: Patriots for Europe Foundation, New Direction Foundation, The Heritage Foundation, Foundation for a Civic Hungary, ADF International, Talenting Group, Red Familia (Family Network), Family Watch International, Tholos Foundation, and Instituto Mises Cono Sur (Mises Institute Southern Cone).

All these organizations work to promote respect for human dignity and fundamental values in various areas.

The Transatlantic Summits are a cornerstone of PNfV’s work. They bring together political representatives and civic leaders from Europe, America, and Africa in person with the aim of strengthening ties, exchanging perspectives, presenting successful experiences and best practices, and generating synergies. They are usually held every two years.

The first Transatlantic Summit was held at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York in 2014, followed by others at the European Parliament in Brussels in 2017, at the Capitol in Bogotá, Colombia, in 2019, at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Budapest in 2022; again at the UN in 2023, as part of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and at the Spanish Senate in 2024. Now, in 2026, we return to the European Parliament.

You can view the program for the VII Transatlantic Summit here.

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