The CajaCanarias Foundation is presenting conferences dedicated to the Constitution of 1978, the longest-lived in Spain's history, titled 'The longest-lived Constitution in Spain's history: balance and perspectives'. The event aims to be a space for reflection on the current state of the Magna Carta and the challenges facing Spanish democracy from various perspectives: institutional, ethical, legal, social, and political science.
The sessions will feature renowned Spanish experts such as Benigno Pendás, Adela Cortina, María Emilia Casas, and Fernando Vallespín. The lectures will take place on September 23 and 24, starting at 7:00 PM, at the CajaCanarias Cultural Space in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Admission will be free until full capacity.
The foundational text for the conferences highlights that the 1978 Constitution has been a success born from the democratic Transition, positioning Spain in a relevant place in Europe and the world. It emphasizes that liberal democracy remains the legitimate form of government in the 21st century, despite the turbulent times and the rise of populist discourse.
During the conferences, crucial topics will be addressed, including constitutional values (liberty, equality, justice), public ethics, the social and democratic state of law, parliamentary monarchy, the autonomous system, human dignity and rights, as well as current challenges arising from polarization and populism.
The objective is to address current problems, propose improvements for democracy, and open a rigorous debate with interested citizens to find realistic and effective solutions.
On Wednesday, September 23, the session will focus on the validity of constitutional values from institutional and ethical perspectives. Speakers will include Benigno Pendás, president of the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, analyzing the roles of the Crown, Parliament, the Judiciary, and political parties; and Adela Cortina, reflecting on public exemplarity, democratic values, and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
On Thursday, September 24, the program will focus on the main political and social challenges of contemporary democracies. María Emilia Casas, emeritus president of the Constitutional Court, will present on the social state, labor rights, militant democracy, and European construction. Finally, Fernando Vallespín, professor of Political Science and former president of the CIS, will analyze the current political situation, phenomena of polarization, and the rise of populism in Western democracies.
