International Congress "Constitutionalism, Identity and Sovereignty"

The Law School of the University of Minho invites scholars, practitioners, and advanced graduate students to submit proposals for communications to be presented at the international congress “Constitutionalism, identity and sovereignty”, to take place on the 7th and 8th of October 2026, in Braga.

Interested persons should submmit an abstract of between 300 and 500 words, accompanied by a brief CV, to pedro.coutinho@direito.uminho.pt, by June 30th, at the latest. Applicants will be informed of the decision as soon as possible, but no later than July 31st, following which the final programme will be publicized.

SUGGESTED THEMES
Contemporary constitutional orders are increasingly shaped by tensions between universal norms and particular identities. Between state sovereignty and supranational or transnational governance. Between democratic self-determination and constitutional constraints. Debates over migration, multiculturalism, indigenous rights, populism, secession, digital sovereignty, and emergency powers raise foundational questions about how constitutions can and/or should articulate identity and allocate authority. This Congress aims to provide a forum for the critical examinantion of these dynamics from theoretical, doctrinal, comparative, and empirical perspectives.

Considering the general theme of the event, we welcome submissions on the following topics, amongst others:

• Constitutional identity and constitutional pluralism
• Sovereignty in federal, regional, and multilevel constitutional systems
• National identity, citizenship, and migration in constitutional law
• Indigenous peoples, self-determination, and constitutional recognition
• Populism, illiberal constitutionalism, and challenges to the rule of law
• Secession, autonomy movements, and constitutional change
• Supranational constitutionalism (EU, international courts, global governance)
• Emergency powers, security, and the limits of sovereignty
• Digital sovereignty, technology, and constitutional rights
• Comparative and transnational perspectives on constitutional identity

EVENT LOCATION AND TRAVELLING ARRANGEMENTS
The event will take place at the Law School of the University of Minho, located at the University’s Gualtar Campus, in Braga.
Speakers will be responsible for all their own travelling arragements and expenses.
Braga has an ample offer for accomodation, including two hotel very close to the Campus:

• Meliá Braga
• B&B Hotel Braga Lamaçães

Convenor: Pedro Coutinho

Scientific Committee:

Prof. Doutora Alessandra Silveira
Prof. Doutora Andreia Sofia Pinto de Oliveira
Prof. Doutora Assunção Vale Pereira
Prof Doutora Catarina Santos Botelho
Prof. Doutor Joaquim Freitas Rocha
Professor Doutor Jorge Bacelar Gouveia
Professor Doutor Paulo Otero

Keynote Speaker: Professor Francisco Balaguer Callejón

Speakers - National Plenary Session:
Prof. Doutor Azeredo Lopes
Prof. Doutor Joaquim Freitas Rocha
Prof. Doutora Luísa Neto
Professor Doutor Rui Medeiros

Speakers - Internacional Plenary Session:
Professor Mariana Velasco-Rivera
Professor Martin Loughlin
Professor Antonia Baraggia
Professor Gabor Halmai

 REGISTRATION ⬇