Prof. Dr. habil. Dr. h. c. Andrea Peto (Professor at CEU, Vienna) is talking about "Viktor Orbán's Affairs with Women". What does gender reveal about the workings of illiberal governance? Drawing on the Hungarian case, Andrea Peto explores how gender politics, higher education and civil society became deeply entangled with wider struggles over democracy, citizenship and social order. Using the concept of gender as “symbolic glue”, the lecture traces the transformation of institutions and public discourse and reflects on the difficult work of rebuilding democratic trust, expertise and participation after illiberal rule.

Dr. Bishnu Prasad Mohapatra (Assistant professor at School of Liberal Arts in Dr. Viswanath Karad MIT-World Peace University(MIT-WPU), Pune, India) is talking about "Shaping Democratic Mobilisation and Institutional Arrangements for Strengthening Political Inclusion in Asia: A Critique". Political inclusion depends not only on formal democratic institutions, but also on the opportunities citizens have to organise, participate and make their voices heard. This lecture offers a critical perspective on democratic mobilisation and institutional arrangements for strengthening political inclusion in Asia, asking how democratic structures can be made more responsive and inclusive.

Reminder to apply for the upcoming Second Annual Conferende of COST Action CA23149 "After 2 Years: Current State and Challenge of Research on Anti-Gender Politics" When: 28–29 January 2027 Where: Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Dr. Anja Kuteleva is talking about "“Traditional Values” to Transnational Reaction: Russia’s Global Anti-Gender Network". How do ideas of “traditional values” travel across borders and become part of wider transnational political networks? Dr. Anya Kuteleva examines Russia's role in the circulation of anti-gender discourses and considers how actors, narratives and strategies connect across national contexts. The lecture places anti-gender mobilisation within a broader transnational landscape of political reaction.

Asst. Prof. Sevil Zengin Gupta (Yozgat Bozok University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences / Anglia Ruskin University, Faculty of Business and Law) is talking about "Public Policy Trace on CBI". This lecture examines the evolving public policy footprint of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) within the UK's socio-economic and regulatory landscape. Tracing its historical trajectory as a primary business advocacy body, the session analyzes how the CBI influences national industrial strategy, macroeconomic policy, and legislative formulation, while navigating modern governance challenges and shifting state-market relations.

Please be invited to another online lecture organised by the WG3, COST Action CA23149 - Democratization at stake? Comparing Anti-Gender Politics in CEE and NME countries (Antigender-Politics)!

When: 28–29 January 2027 Where: Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Asst. Prof. Dr. Selvi Vural (faculty member in the Department of Aviation Management, School of Applied Sciences, Gümüşhane University, Türkiye) is talking about "Digital Resistance: Communication Strategies Against Anti-Gender Narratives in CEE and NME Countries". How can digital spaces become sites of resistance to anti-gender narratives? Selvi Vural explores communication strategies across Central and Eastern European and Neighbouring and Mediterranean countries, focusing on inclusive leadership, gender representation and civil-society communication. The lecture considers how organisational and communication research can inform the development of effective digital counter-narratives.

Dr. Bishnu Prasad Mohapatra (School of Liberal Arts, Dr. Viswanath Karad MIT-World Peace University (MIT-WPU), Pune, India) is talking about "Anti-Gender Movements, Rising Authoritarianism and Politics of Inclusion in Asian Nations: How are these different from Europe?" Anti-gender mobilisation is gaining visibility across Asia, but its political dynamics cannot simply be mapped onto the European experience. Drawing on India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and China, this lecture explores the relationship between anti-gender movements, authoritarian politics, democratic backsliding and struggles for women's and LGBTQ rights. It asks how democratic institutions and spaces for political participation can respond to increasingly restrictive political environments and strengthen social and political inclusion.