Dr. Noura Assaf from the Department of Political Science and International Affairs at the University of Balamand, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, participated in the annual international workshop titled “Building Bridges in a Polarized Europe”, held on 22 and 23 October 2026 at the School of Political Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

Dr. Assaf attended the workshop as a Member of the Working Group of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), under COST Action CA22165 – Redressing Radical Polarisation: Strengthening European Civil Spheres Facing Illiberal Digital Media (DepolarisingEU). The workshop brought together members of the Management Committee and Working Groups to discuss strategic priorities, ongoing challenges, and future initiatives within the Action.

DepolarisingEU is an interdisciplinary European research network that seeks to advance a common understanding of radical polarisation and identify effective interventions to address uncivil and undemocratic partisanship. Through collaboration with civil society and media organizations, the Action aims to promote de-escalation, depolarisation, and pluralism, while strengthening democratic values and European civil spheres in the face of illiberal digital media.

The annual meetings provide an important platform for researchers and experts from different academic and professional backgrounds to exchange knowledge, strengthen research collaboration, and coordinate efforts toward addressing the growing challenges of political and societal polarisation across Europe. ​