World Liberty Congress opens its European headquarters in Berlin. Second Berlin Freedom Week in November 2026

Berlin, 27 July 2026 Berlin is becoming the European headquarters of one of the world’s most important pro-democracy movements: the World Liberty Congress, the largest alliance of more than 200 dissidents from over 60 countries under autocratic rule, will establish a permanent presence at the premises of the Robert Havemann Society in Berlin-Mitte. Home to the Archive of the East German Opposition, the location near Alexanderplatz embodies Germany’s history of opposition, resistance and democratic awakening.

Last year, the World Liberty Congress was one of the co-initiators of Berlin Freedom Week, which will take place for the second time from 7 to 14 November 2026 under the patronage of Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner. Berlin Freedom Week and the permanent establishment of the World Liberty Congress further strengthen Berlin’s role as an international meeting place for pro-democracy movements, human rights activists and members of the exiled opposition.

Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin: “As a city of freedom, Berlin stands alongside everyone around the world who is committed to freedom, democracy and human rights. I am therefore delighted that the World Liberty Congress is opening its European headquarters in Berlin and that Berlin Freedom Week will return in November around the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Berlin Freedom Week brings together courageous people from across the world who stand up for democracy and human rights. I invite everyone to take part, because protecting, strengthening and defending our freedom and democracy is a responsibility we all share.”

Leopoldo López, Founder of the World Liberty Congress: “Berlin is more than a city, it is where the world learned that no wall can stand against the power of people determined to be free. Today, we return with the World Liberty Congress for the Women Liberty Congress and the second edition of Berlin Freedom Week, inspired by that legacy and by the courage of those who continue to confront dictatorships around the world. From the city of freedom, we renew our commitment to unite those on the frontlines of this struggle and to build, together, a democratic future for our nations.”

Rebecca Hernandez Garcia, Managing Director of the Robert Havemann Society: “With the arrival of the World Liberty Congress, our organisation will become a place where the experiences of the GDR opposition enter into dialogue with those of today’s dissidents from around the world. As the Archive of the GDR Opposition, we see it as our responsibility not only to preserve history, but also to carry it into the present. We look forward to continuing our successful cooperation as part of Berlin Freedom Week and to sending a strong joint message for freedom and human rights from Berlin.”

First Event at the New Location: Women Liberty Congress

The World Liberty Congress took part in the first Berlin Freedom Week in the German capital last year, holding its General Assembly at the Berlin House of Representatives. Following its move to Berlin, the organisation will now host its next major event: the Women Liberty Congress on 7 and 8 November 2026.

Masih Alinejad, Founder of the World Liberty Congress: “Berlin is where walls fell, freedom rose, and history changed forever. There could be no more fitting stage for our inaugural Women Liberty Congress, where courageous women freedom fighters from dictatorships and repressive regimes come together to share their stories, strengthen their solidarity, and inspire the world. In the city that tore down barriers, we stand united to challenge oppression, defend democracy, and affirm that the fight for liberty knows no borders.”

The Women Freedom & Security Summit, another international forum for women, will take place at the German Bundestag on 9 November. It is being organised by Evelyn Zupke, Federal Commissioner for the Victims of the SED Dictatorship at the German Bundestag. Julia Klöckner, President of the German Bundestag, is also expected to attend. Partner organisations include the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation, Women for Freedom and My Stealthy Freedom.

With their focus on equality and democratic participation, both the Women Liberty Congress and the Women Freedom & Security Summit directly address key themes of Berlin Freedom Week 2026.

Antje Schippmann, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation, a partner organisation of the women’s summit at the Bundestag: “Whether in Iran, Belarus, Afghanistan, Sudan or Ukraine, women are among the most courageous actors worldwide in the fight against dictatorship and for freedom – and they often pay the highest price. The Women Freedom & Security Summit brings them to the Bundestag to exchange concrete recommendations for action. Women’s rights are a question of our security. We thank Evelyn Zupke for giving this important issue a platform at the federal political level together with us and our partners.”

Berlin Freedom Week Establishes Itself as an International Forum for Democracy and Freedom

Following its successful premiere in 2025, which attracted more than 10,000 visitors to over 170 events, Berlin Freedom Week will return from 7 to 14 November. It brings together activists, civil society organisations, political decision-makers and international partners in Berlin.

A citywide programme of conferences, discussions, cultural events, guided tours and encounters at historic and symbolic locations is planned. At the same time, Berlin Freedom Week commemorates Berlin’s historical legacy, the Peaceful Revolution and the fall of the Berlin Wall. These events remain symbols of hope in the global struggle for freedom and democracy. They demonstrate that even profound political change can be achieved peacefully and democratically.

The patron of Berlin Freedom Week is once again Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin. The project partners responsible for its implementation are the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation, the Berlin Freedom Society, the Robert Havemann Society, the World Liberty Congress and visitBerlin.

Berlin Freedom Conference at the Colosseum Cinema on 10 November

The Berlin Freedom Conference will also return following its successful premiere in 2025. Last year, almost 1,000 participants, including more than 70 speakers from over 30 countries, came together at the Schöneberg Gasometer to discuss ways of strengthening democratic alliances and addressing autocratic systems.

The second edition of the conference will take place on 10 November at the Colosseum cinema on Schönhauser Allee, close to the Gethsemane Church, one of the most important sites of the GDR opposition during the Peaceful Revolution in autumn 1989.

Frank Ebert, Chair of the Berlin Freedom Society: “The guiding theme ‘Change is possible’ draws on the experiences of the Peaceful Revolution of 1989 in the GDR and across Eastern Europe. These events embody the understanding that profound change is possible and that freedom can be won. The experience of freedom in 1989 is a shared legacy that offers hope and can give courage and strength to people around the world.”

Burkhard Kieker, Founder of the Berlin Freedom Society and Director of the Berlin Freedom Conference: “As a city of freedom, Berlin is the right stage for ideas of democracy. The German capital presents itself as an anchor for freedom fighters in an increasingly difficult world. The Berlin Freedom Conference provides the platform for this.”

A full-day programme across several stages is planned. The Berlin Freedom Conference will focus on topics including democracy and freedom in a global context, technology and freedom, security, freedom of expression, the economy and transnational repression. Regional areas of focus will include Venezuela, Iran, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine and several African countries.

The conference is organised by the Berlin Freedom Society in cooperation with the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation, the World Liberty Congress and visitBerlin.

Stories of Freedom Film Day on 11 November

A full-day film programme entitled Stories of Freedom will also take place at the Colosseum cinema on 11 November. It will focus on stories of courage, resistance and social change. Filmmakers, activists and contemporary witnesses will present their perspectives on the commitment to democracy, freedom and human rights.

Two school screenings will also raise awareness among young people of the importance of freedom, democracy and civic engagement.

Dr Jürgen Amann, Managing Director of visitBerlin: “Around the world, Berlin is associated with the experience that freedom must be defended time and again. We are delighted that visitBerlin is once again involved as an initiator of the second Berlin Freedom Week. It transforms the city into a stage for voices from around the world that stand for openness, courage and social change.”

The Berlin Freedom Week programme will be complemented by numerous events throughout the city, including conferences, discussions, readings, guided tours, film screenings, workshops and community formats.

Initial programme proposals have been submitted by organisations including the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the European Academy Berlin, Reporters Without Borders, the Federal Intelligence Service, the Berlin Wall Foundation, the German Spy Museum, Der Tagesspiegel and the Berlin State Agency for Civic Education.

Further organisations and institutions are invited to contribute their own events to Berlin Freedom Week 2026.

Confirmed sponsors of the second Berlin Freedom Week and the Berlin Freedom Conference include the German Postcode Lottery, Airbnb and Berliner Sparkasse.

The programmes for Berlin Freedom Week and the Berlin Freedom Conference will be published in the coming weeks.