Adam Michnik is the editor-in-chief of Gazeta Wyborcza, a historian and essayist. A leading voice of Poland’s democratic opposition from 1968 to 1989, he was a founding member of the Workers’ Defense Committee, jailed multiple times, and expelled from university for his activism. He played a key role in the underground press and the 1989 Round Table Talks. His life’s work embodies the struggle—and hope—of unfinished democracy in Europe.

Professor David Wengrow is a New York Times best-selling author and Professor of Comparative Archaeology at UCL. He co-authored The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity which was a finalist for the Orwell Prize in 2022. With over 20 years of experience in archaeology and anthropology, he explores fundamental questions of history, culture, social change, and inequality. A graduate of Oxford, he held research fellowships at Christ Church and the Warburg Institute before joining UCL, where he continues to shape global debates on human history.

Marta Lempart  is a Polish activist and founder of the All-Poland Women’s Strike, one of the most visible movements for democracy, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ equality in the region. A fearless voice against authoritarianism, she mobilizes thousands to stand up for justice, freedom, and the rule of law in Poland—often at great personal risk.

Yuri Sanches is Head of Political Analysis at AtlasIntel, specializing in Latin America, the U.S., and Europe. With expertise in geopolitical risk and strategic intelligence, he analyzes political and economic trends shaping global markets. He holds a B.A. from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and an M.A. from the Brazilian War College (ESG). Yuri began his career at the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FIRJAN), supporting the internationalization of key industries before moving into political analysis.

Anca Suciu is a journalist with 15 years of experience both in the field and in TV studios—where she has moderated some of Romania’s most important political debates. Known for her sharp, probing style, she challenges conventional answers and seeks authentic, informative dialogue, guided by constructive skepticism rather than background noise.

President of Funky Citizens. Long-time NGO activist with over 10 years of experience, team coordinator and glue, civic engagement advocate, and founding member of the organization.

Diana is a Strategic Foresight consultant and founder of Future Station with extensive experience in both consultancy and business. She has worked with clients across various industries—including retail, telecom, financial services, FMCG, energy, and healthcare—as well as with NGOs, public institutions, and entrepreneurs. Her experience spans both Romania and international markets, giving her a broad perspective on innovation and transformation.

Vlad Adamescu is the co-founder of Politică la minut, a youth-focused civic initiative. He holds a Political Science degree from King’s College London and a master’s in European and International Public Policy from London School of Economics and Political Science. His work examines extremism, economic inequality in Europe and Romania, and urban mobility policies. He has also served as a policy and communications advisor in the European Parliament.

Răzvan Petri is the co-founder of Politică la minut, a youth-focused civic initiative. He holds a Political Science degree from King’s College London and a master’s in Public Policy from University College London. His work explores Romanian and Bulgarian politics, post-communist inequalities, and the rise of extremism. He has also served as a policy and communications advisor in the European Parliament.

Oana Barbonie defines herself as a visual reporter. She studied journalism and visual anthropology. Her work as an artist involves collage, photography, video and drawing, all experiments through which she wants to create meaningful visual breaks.

Maria Cezar has been working with Expert Forum since 2019 on projects focused on active citizenship, formal and non-formal education, and civic engagement. In 2020, together with the Expert Forum team, she co-founded Let’s talk about YOU(th)!, a platform that empowers teenagers to speak up and take action on issues relevant to them and their communities.

Cezara Grama has been part of the coordination team for the School for Democracy program since 2015. In 2020, during the pandemic, she co-created Let’s talk about YOU(th)!—a platform dedicated to helping teenagers in Romania and the Republic of Moldova make their voices heard on the issues that matter to them and their communities. Through this program, Expert Forum supports young people in identifying and solving problems that directly affect their lives. Cezara holds a Law degree from the University of Bucharest.

Thomas Marinescu is a social designer who blends technology, art, science, and curiosity into everything he does. His journey has taken him through healthcare, education, the arts, and social innovation—always led by the question: what ignites my curiosity? What once felt like a lack of direction now feels like play. He sees the world as a playground of ideas, where imagination, empathy, and experimentation open doors to surprising discoveries. As he still plays—and he invites us to do the same.

Codruța Simina is an investigative journalist specializing in online disinformation. She co-founded Public Record, an independent media outlet dedicated to impactful investigations, and co-authors Misreport, a weekly newsletter analyzing false content and disinformation. With over 20 years in journalism, Simina brings extensive experience to the checkaton and festival itself.​

The Fishermen are a young, high-energy quintet on a mission to make classical music cool again. Rooted in the spirit of chamber music as the music of friends, they bring it into unexpected spaces—with no stiff dress codes, no formalities, just powerful, laid-back performances.