CONFERENCE CYCLE
Oct. Jan. 2026 2027, Famalicão, Municipal Library

Conference Series “From Famalicão to the World—50 Years of Democratic Local Government (1976–2026)”

The Conference Series aims to discuss the evolution and impact of municipal structures in our country. The aim isto celebrate and analyze the 50th anniversary of democratic local government in Portugal (1976–2026), highlighting the transformative role of municipalities in the country’s socioeconomic and cultural development, with a special focus on the perspective of Vila Nova de Famalicão.

To promote the continuing education of teachers, the program aims to equip them with up-to-date scientific, historiographical, and sociological knowledge on municipalism, decentralization, and active citizenship. As an open forum for sharing and dialogue, it aims to stimulate critical debate on the evolution of local governments by bringing together academic research, firsthand accounts of practical governance experiences, and statistical data on public perceptions of local government.

The lecture series, held in person, will take place every two weeks, beginning at 6:30 p.m., in the auditorium of the Camilo Castelo Branco Municipal Library. The plenary sessions aim to foster a space for interdisciplinary and comparative sharing and reflection through debate on research problems, approaches, methodologies, and practices, with a view to promoting exchange among researchers and professors.

The City Council and Municipal Assembly of Famalicão, CITCEM/FLUP, the Portuguese Historical Association, and the Vila Nova de Famalicão School Cluster Training Center are responsible for the organization and scientific coordination of the Conference Series.

Open to the general public.

Program:
October 8, 2026
Paula Pinto Costa (CITCEM/FLUP) – “History of Municipalities in Portugal”

October 22, 2026
Agostinho Peixoto Fernandes – An Account of an Experience in Local Government

November 5, 2026
António Cândido Oliveira (JusGov at the University of Minho) – “Citizenship and Local Government”

November 19, 2026
Pedro Pimpão dos Santos – President of the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP) – to be confirmed

December 3, 2026
Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation: Study and data on Portuguese perceptions of local government (speaker to be announced)

January 7, 2027
Paulo Cunha – An Account of an Experience in Local Government

January 21, 2027
Maria Antónia Pires de Almeida – “Local Government in Portugal: 50 Years of Democracy—Research Projects and Findings” (FCSH-NOVA, Lisbon; University of Minho)