EUROPE Alive 2026 - BRNO

The 74th Europe Alive conference took place in Brno, the Czech Republic’s second city, from 3–7 June, bringing together 27 delegates from five countries, including six from the UK. Blessed with warm sunshine and an excellent programme organised by Marketa Buresova with Czech Section President Sarka Slavikova, the event combined thought-provoking discussions with cultural visits.

A key highlight was a conference on Gender Equality and Modern Slavery held in the historic Regional Parliament. Guest speakers included South Moravian Governor Jan Grolich, MEP and economist Danuse Nerudova, and Martina Rastikova, Vice-Rector of Mendel University. Delegates from Estonia, Austria, Spain and the UK shared presentations on gender equality and initiatives tackling modern slavery.

The programme also included visits to the Vesna Community Centre, which supports Ukrainian refugee women and children, the underground Brno Water Reservoirs, and the renowned Villa Tugendhat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Social events featured a gala dinner, a city tour in a hired public trolley bus, and a local wine festival.
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Delegates enjoyed traditional Czech hospitality, cuisine and culture throughout their stay. Not only did Brno impress visitors as a welcoming destination rich in history and charm, offering an authentic experience away from the crowds of mass tourism, but it is also the Czech Republic’s leading university city, with 11 universities and 26 faculties.