Event
Stanhope Hotel
Rue du Commerce 9
1000 Brussels
Belgium
New Direction is pleased to present the 2025 edition of Think Tank Central – our annual flagship conference bringing together organisations from across the centre-right. This year the theme is ‘Freedom in a Changing World’ – as we face the continued threat of conflict on our continent, economic turmoil, and a rapidly polarising society, we must come up with new ideas to advance the ideas of a free society.
Join us in Brussels from 20th-21st May 2025 for our fourth Think Tank Central conference, and become a part of a growing movement of civil society organisations advancing freedom.
Agenda
Morning
Arrivals, Coffee & Registration
09:00 - 09:10 am - Balmoral 1+2
Introduction
09:10 - 09:30 am - Balmoral 1+2
Keynote Speech
The Conservative Vision for Freedom in the 21st Century
What does conservatism mean in the 21st century - and why is freedom the main vehicle for the conservative movement?
09:30 - 10:30 am - Balmoral 1+2
Panel 1
Beauty
Conservatives spend a lot of time talking about policy, but sometimes forget that it is important to respect beauty. We need to be able to identify with the world around us and create a sense of belonging. That belonging can be related to a place, or a feeling, or a sense of spiritual connection beyond the material world - beauty creates that bridge.
10:30 - 11:00 am - Lobby Bar
Coffee Break
11:00 - 12:30 pm - Balmoral 1+2
Panel 2
The Defense of the Free World
With active conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, and the threat of war in Asia and Latin America, the world has never been more dangerous. The need to strengthen Europe and NATO, and renew the bonds of the free world has never been more clear. The questions are however, how can we achieve this? How do we re-arm? And can we still call on the United States for support?Participants:
12:30 - 14:00 - Lobby Bar
Coalition Lunch
Coalition meeting organised by American for Tax Reform in which member think tanks can introduce themselves and their work to other people present. Hosted by Lorenzo Montanari and Chris Butler - Tholos Foundation (USA)
14:00 - 15:30
Breakout session 1
Balmoral 1
Migration
The migrant crisis of 2014 radically changed the shape of societies in Europe, putting increased pressure on public services and exposing societal problems at home. Over the last decade, European policy makers have struggled to come to grips with the scale of the issue. However, new approaches are starting to see an impact. The question remains, what are the best strategies for tackling migration and how do we implement them? Opening speaker:
Participants:
Balmoral 2
Educational Freedom
The debate over what should be taught to our children, and how, in Europe has intensified with recent cases of cancel culture against teachers and the advancement of progressive ideas in the curriculum. For that reason the discussion about educational freedom and school choice for parents should be re-opened. How can we give parents more control over what their children learn? What can we do to protect academics from cancel culture? And how can we make education more competitive? Opening speakers:
Participants:
15:30 - 16:00 - Lobby Bar
Coffee Break
16:00 - 17:30
Breakout session 2
Balmoral 1
Stewardship of the Natural World
Caring for and protecting the environment is not only a moral duty but also a responsibility to future generations. The conservative tradition recognises the natural order as an essential part of our shared heritage. In an age where environmentalism is too often hijacked by ideological agendas and centralised control, we must address an approach that combines sustainability with economic freedom and subsidiarity (local government). How do we safeguard our natural resources without undermining the prosperity of our communities? And what policies truly promote responsible stewardship from the ground up? Opening speakers:
Participants:
Balmoral 2
The Next Generation of Conservative Leaders
The future of the conservative movement in Europe relies on our ability to raise a new generation of conservative activists rooted in tradition, liberty, and national identity. Tomorrow’s leaders must be prepared not only to defend our values but to renew them for a changing world. How do we cultivate the next generation of leadership? What structures and networks are needed to ensure continuity and growth across generations of conservatives? Opening speakers:
Participants:
18:00 - 21:00 - Lobby Bar
Evening Reception
09:00 - 10:30 am
Breakout Session 3
Balmoral 1
Conservative Economics: Free Trade vs Protectionism
The recent debate about tariffs and a trade war between great powers has reignited the debate about what kind of economic policy conservatives should take. On one side of the argument are those who make the case that reducing tariffs and regulatory burden free up the economy and generate mass prosperity. On the other side are those who favour state intervention and argue that it is the role of the government to protect industry from foreign competition. Opening speaker:
Participants:
Balmoral 2
European Industrial Policy
Europe is facing a productivity crisis, as highlighted by the recent ‘Draghi Report’, which demonstrates that over regulation and high taxes have destroyed competitiveness. The question then is what kind of industrial policy the EU should adopt? What fiscal tools can be used? And what regulation can be removed to ease competitiveness? Opening speaker:
Participants
10:30 - 11:00 am - Lobby Bar
Coffee Break
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Breakout sessions 4
Balmoral 1
Digital Freedom and Big Tech Regulation
Recent cases of de-platforming have highlighted the extent to which big tech companies cannot be trusted on the issue of free speech. Social Media platforms have been found to politicise their algorithms against more conservative voices. At the same time, there is the question of the spread of disinformation. Opening speaker:
Participants:
Balmoral 2
AI vs Human beings – Risks and Opportunities
As global powers race to dominate AI, the West risks ceding strategic ground to authoritarian regimes that exploit these technologies without regard for human rights or ethical boundaries. At the same time, AI raises critical moral questions: What remains of human agency, responsibility, and identity in a world driven by algorithms? For conservatives, the answer lies in defending the primacy of the human person, upholding ethical limits, and ensuring that innovation serves free nations, not the other way around. Can Europe forge a path that protects its values while remaining competitive on the world stage? Opening speaker:
Participants:
12:30 - 13:30 - Lobby Bar
Lunch
Participating Organisations
About Polska
About Polska is a space that connects young people from all over the country who are guided by patriotic values, respect for history, the idea of economic freedom, republican principles and the foundations of European civilization, to engage together in building the future of Poland
Academy of Ideas
The Academy of Ideas is a UK-based organization dedicated to fostering open and robust public debate on contemporary issues.
Alliance Defending Freedom
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is a prominent American conservative Christian legal advocacy organization established in 1993. ADF operates with a mission to protect religious freedom, free speech, and parental rights.
The Architectural Uprising
The Architectural Uprising (Arkitekturupproret) is a Swedish non-profit organization founded in 2016, emerging from a Facebook group established in 2014. It advocates for a return to classical and traditional architectural styles, challenging the prevalence of modernist designs in urban environments
C3
The Conservative Coalition for Climate Solutions (C3 Solutions) is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization founded in 2020. C3 Solutions advocates for conservative approaches to climate change, emphasizing free-market principles, innovation, and limited government intervention.
Center for Freedom and Prosperity
CF&P advocates for free-market policies, limited government, and fiscal sovereignty. Its primary initiative is the Coalition for Tax Competition, which opposes international efforts to restrict tax competition and financial privacy.
Center for the Renewal of Culture
The Center for the Renewal of Culture (Centar za obnovu kulture – COK) is a Croatian non-governmental organization founded in 2009 and based in Zagreb. Its mission is to promote conservative values, national sovereignty, and personal freedom, with a focus on renewing Croatian culture through education and public discourse.
CEPOS
CEPOS (Center for Political Studies) is an independent Danish think tank based in Copenhagen, founded in 2004. It promotes classical liberal and free-market ideas, advocating for individual freedom, limited government, and strong civil institutions.
CEU-CEFAS
Spanish conservative think tank affiliated with the Fundación Universitaria San Pablo CEU. It promotes Christian humanism and national regeneration through research, education, and public engagement.
Cobden Centre
The Cobden Centre is a UK-based economic think tank founded in 2010. The Centre is named after 19th-century classical liberal Richard Cobden, renowned for his advocacy of free trade and individual liberty.
Danube Institute
The Danube Institute is a conservative think tank based in Budapest, Hungary, established in 2013. It promotes conservatism, classical liberal economics, and a realistic Atlanticism in national security policy, aiming to foster dialogue between Central Europe and the English-speaking world.
Edmund Burke Institute
Conservative think tank based in Ireland focused on issues of free speech, individual responsibility, and protection of traditional values.
EDYN
The European Democracy Youth Network (EDYN) is a nonpartisan youth-led initiative founded in 2018 to empower young pro-democracy leaders across Central and Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, and the South Caucasus.
FAKS
Norwegian Association for All Conservative Students. Founded May 17th 2017, the association is an open forum for conservative students and alumni, unaffiliated with any political party.
Henry Jackson Society
The Henry Jackson Society (HJS) is a UK-based think tank established in 2005. HJS focuses on promoting liberal democracy, human rights, and combating extremism globally.
Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation is an American conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1973 Heritage’s mission is to formulate and promote public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.
ISSEP
Founded in 2018 in Lyon by Marion Maréchal and Thibaut Monnier, the Institut des Sciences Sociales, Économiques et Politiques (ISSEP) is a private higher education institution offering programs in political science and project management.
Latvian Economists Association
A free market based think tank in Latvia, co-founded by Roberts Zile with an aim to promote economic best practices.
Media Research Center
The Media Research Center (MRC) is a prominent American conservative nonprofit organization established in 1987 by L. Brent Bozell III. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, its mission is to expose and counteract what it perceives as liberal bias in the national news media, and to promote conservative viewpoints across various media platforms.
Nazione Futura
Nazione Futura is a conservative Italian think tank and cultural movement founded in 2017. The activity of the think tank is structured through the publication of a quarterly magazine of political, economic and cultural analysis.
Observatoire de l’Immigration et de la Démographie
The Observatoire de l’Immigration et de la Démographie (OID) is a French think tank focused on immigration and demographic issues. Founded in 2021, it promotes research and public debate around the social, economic, and cultural impacts of immigration in France.
Oeconomus
The Oeconomus Economic Research Foundation is a Budapest-based think tank established in 2019, focusing on economic and geopolitical research. It aims to analyse domestic and international economic trends.
Oikos
Oikos is a Swedish conservative think tank founded in 2020. It aims to promote traditional values, national identity, and cultural heritage, drawing inspiration from philosopher Sir Roger Scruton.
Ordo Iuris
The Ordo Iuris is a polish conservative think tank focused on the preservation of the rule of law, traditional values, and national identity.
Polska Wielki Projekt
The Polska Wielki Projekt Foundation is a prominent Polish non-governmental organization dedicated to fostering conservative and patriotic discourse. Established to continue the legacy of President Lech Kaczyński, the foundation aims to promote Polish sovereignty, historical awareness, and cultural identity.
Prosperity Institute
The Prosperity Institute is a London-based think tank dedicated to advancing and protecting the principles that foster national prosperity. Established in 2007 as the Legatum Institute, it was renamed in January 2025.
Roger Scruton Legacy Foundation
The Roger Scruton Legacy Foundation is dedicated to preserving and advancing the philosophical and cultural contributions of Sir Roger Scruton. Through events, lectures, and research, it promotes the conservation and continuation of Western traditions in philosophy, art, and architecture.
Students for Liberty
Students For Liberty (SFL) is the world’s largest international pro-liberty student organization, dedicated to educating, developing, and empowering the next generation of leaders committed to liberty. Founded in 2008.
Suomen Perusta
Suomen Perusta (The Foundation of Finland) is a Finnish political think tank established in 2012, closely affiliated with the Finns Party. It concentrates on research and policy analysis in areas such as immigration, multiculturalism, European integration, and economics.
The Taxpayers Alliance
The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) is a UK-based grassroots pressure group established in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum. It advocates for lower taxes, reduced government spending, and increased transparency in public finances.
Tholos Foundation
The Tholos Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization founded in 1985 at the request of President Ronald Reagan. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it is dedicated to promoting free-market principles, limited government, secure property rights, and individual liberty as the foundations for global prosperity and peace.
Warsaw Institute
The Warsaw Institute is a Polish think tank established in 2014, specialising in geopolitics, international relations, and security issues pertinent to Poland and Central and Eastern Europe. It publishes analyses and policy recommendations, and organises conferences and seminars to support decision-making processes.
We Are Innovation
We Are Innovation is a dynamic network of individuals and institutions who deeply believe in innovation’s power to drive progress and solve the world’s most pressing problems.
