At this year's HUMAN FORUM in Banská Bystrica, one of Slovakia’s key platforms for dialogue on democracy and human rights, CELSI Scientific Director Martin Kahanec joined an important panel discussion on “Political Promises and Economic Reality: How Authoritarian and Populist Tendencies Shape the Future of the Economy.”

The session took place on 18 November at the Historic Town Hall (Cikker Hall) and featured a discussion of leading expert on how political shifts influence economic resilience, investment, and long-term growth:

• Erik Jones, European University Institute
• Martin Kahanec, Central European University and CELSI
• Michal Mešťan, Matej Bel University
• Moderated by Kamila Borseková, Matej Bel University

Martin Kahanec contributed insights on how the quality of democratic and inclusive institutions directly influences economic prosperity, emphasising that strong institutions fostering trust and collaboration are crucial for retaining talent and enabling long-term development.

"Democratic and inclusive institutions — those that foster trust and collaboration — are crucial for enabling development and for people to see a future for themselves in the country,” stated Kahanec.

🔗 The full video recording of the panel (in English): https://www.facebook.com/humanforumsk/videos/1104853124865220/

We thank all organisers of HUMAN FORUM 2025 for creating space for this timely and much-needed discussion, and for bringing together voices from academia, civil society, government, and international organisations.

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