The Night of Ideas 2026

The Night of Ideas Denver 2026: "Paving the Way"

We are delighted to present the 2026 edition of Night of Ideas, a global event initiated by the French Embassy and Villa Albertine in 2005, now hosted in major cities across the U.S.

In collaboration with MSU Denver's Humanities Center and The Denver Project for Humanistic Inquiry, this year’s event will explore the theme of “Paving the Way”, for the next generation, for new voices, and for science that serves humanity. This edition will bring together thinkers, scientists, scholars, community advocates, and artists for discussion, food, and wine (provided).

Topics include:

Youth and Emerging Voices: Society's polarization profoundly affects young people; For them to drive meaningful progress, they need access to education (formal and informal), exposure to diverse and inspiring figures, and spaces where their voices carry legitimacy. How do we ensure quality education that fosters independence, critical thinking, and creativity? How do we make sure young people's voices are heard—and channeled toward dialogue across communities and opinions?

Inspiring Figures and New Solutions: At a time when political, scientific, and media authorities face deep mistrust fueled by misinformation, how do we restore legitimacy for bold new voices? How do we enable diverse opinions to flourish without opening the door to disinformation? What figures and social innovations deserve greater visibility?

Science and Technology as Sources of Hope: While AI raises legitimate concerns, scientific advances are still opening transformative possibilities. Sustaining this progress depends on scientific cooperation, independent research, and academic freedom. What conditions does forward-looking science require? How can science inspire new generations, and what models should guide the development of cutting-edge technologies?

Join us for a night of exploration, reflection, and conversation!

Stay tuned for more info.

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