Nobel Prize Teacher Summit
The future of democracy
On 28 March 2025, teachers from around the world gathered in Stockholm for the 2025 Nobel Prize Teacher Summit. Throughout the day, Nobel Prize laureates, scientists, psychologists, and educators offered various perspectives on the future of democracy.
The best option
There are almost always alternatives. But when it comes to organising society, democracy is still the best option for ensuring the freedom and rights of people.
This doesn’t mean it is flawless or without downsides. Nor does it mean that democracy can be taken for granted, even after being embraced.
Democracy is demanding. It requires engagement from everyone and needs to be guarded against quick fixes and populist solutions. The people must simultaneously trust the system, while remaining critical. This is a fine balance.
On 28 March 2025, teachers from around the world gathered in Stockholm for the 2025 Nobel Prize Teacher Summit. Throughout the day, Nobel Prize laureates, scientists, psychologists, and educators offered various perspectives on the future of democracy.
When facing the challenges of our time, the role of teachers is crucial. How do we teach about democracy, trust, and critical thinking? What skills do young people need to become informed participants in shaping and safeguarding a democratic society? How can we shape the future of democracy together?
These were the core questions at the 2025 Nobel Prize Teacher Summit. Nobel Prize laureates, top scientists, and fellow teachers from around the world attended this unique, yearly event. It was a day full of roundbreaking ideas, inspiring insights, unforgettable meetings and non-googleable stories.
Highlights from the summit
Summary
David MacMillan on democracy
David MacMillan was a speaker at the 2024 Nobel Prize Teacher Summit. Here he shares his thoughts on democracy and science.
The speakers
Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize 2011
Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize 2021
Daron Acemoglu (pre-recorded video), Economic sciences laureate 2024
Christopher Castle, Director of the Division of Peace and Sustainable Development Education Sector at UNESCO
Mathias Demetriades, Project leader at Sida, Educator and Writer
Virginia Dignum, Professor of Responsible Artificial Intelligence at Umeå University
John Hassler, Professor of Economics at Stockholm University
Alexander Hudson, Senior Adviser, Democracy Assessment, International IDEA
Claudia Lenz, Professor of Social Science at MF Norwegian School of Theology
Staffan I. Lindberg, Professor of Political Science and Director of the V-Dem Institute
Berit Reiss-Andersen, Lawyer, Author and former Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee
Adam Taal, Artist and entrepreneur
Pontus Wallin, Project manager at the Swedish Institute for Educational Research
Hugo Wester, Director of Education at the Swedish National Agency for Education
Maria Wetterstrand, Former politician and Spokesperson for the Green Party in Sweden, currently consultant on strategic sustainability and EU affairs at the consultancy Miltton
Åsa Wikforss, Professor of Theoretical Philosophy at Stockholm University
Karin Årman, Ph.D in Educational Work and Project Manager at the Living history forum
The summit, recorded
Speaker presentations, main stage
Speaker presentations, breakout sessions
Photos from the summit
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1 (of 3) Teachers in conversation during the Nobel Prize Teacher Summit
© Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Clément Morin
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2 (of 3) Nobel Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee at the Nobel Prize Teacher Summit 2025.
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3 (of 3) Teachers at the Nobel Prize Teacher Summit
Photo: Clément Morin © Nobel Prize Outreach