Featuring PORTUGAL ON ITS 50th CONSTITUTIONAL Anniversary
YouTube Video of 50th Celebration in Parliament
April 3, 2026
At the Solemn Session marking the anniversary of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, we celebrate the freedom, rights, and democracy that we have built together.
April Constitution at 50: memory, critical thought and the future
The colloquium "April Constitution: 50 Years", organized by the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of the University of Coimbra (CEIS20), brought the community together to reflect on five decades of Portugal's fundamental law.
A historical reading of the constituent process and the 1976 Constitution
A historical reading of the constituent process and the 1976 Constitution
Marking the 50th anniversary of the Constitution means revisiting a foundational moment in the contemporary history of Portugal. It means understanding how democracy was established in a context of rupture and uncertainty, and how the Constitution has since asserted itself as a central reference point in the political, legal, and civic life of the country.
World Constitution Day highlights
Marieta Safta - Constitutional Justice and its Place Within Modern Constitutionalism
Marieta Safta - Romania
Constitutional Justice and its Place Within Modern Constitutionalism
Join Marieta for a deep dive into Constitutional Justice and its place within Modern Constitutionalism.
With an "AI lift", professor Safta makes a compelling presentation that stretches the imagination. Artificial Intelligence is destined to reshape the world of constitutionalism and constitutional law and Marieta shows how it elevates the dialog and enhances educational communications.
Advisory Board member to International Constitution Center.
Watch Here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19AoaQzn0O2fGuigwx-oKl29fJsS4-GNr/view
Dominic Büttner - Switzerland - The Constitutio Project
Dominic Büttner, Switzerland
The Constitutio Project
An Educational Recital of Swiss Constitution articles in 4 languages at https://constitutio.ch/
German, French, Italian and Romansh
CONSTITUTIO ist ein unabhängiges Projekt von gesellschaftspolitischer Bedeutung. Es entstand dank grosszügiger Mithilfe engagierter Bürgerinnen und Bürger, Eigenleistungen und Zuwendungen gemäss Auflistung.
CONSTITUTIO est un projet indépendant d'importance sociopolitique. Il a pu être réalisé grâce à l'aide généreuse de citoyennes et citoyens engagés, aux prestations propres et a des soutiens financiers, selon le listing.
CONSTITUTIO è un progetto indipendente di importanza socio-politica. È stato creato grazie al generoso aiuto di cittadini impegnati, al contributo personale e alle donazioni elencate.
Mihnea Stoica - Romania - History, Principles, and Democratic Framework of the Romanian Constitution
Mihnea Stoica - Romania - History, Principles, and Democratic Framework of the Romanian Constitution
The constitutional history of Romania marks a clear divide between its totalitarian past and its modern democratic architecture.
The Constitution of Romania, adopted in 1991, serves as the fundamental legal framework governing the nation's transition from a communist totalitarian regime into a stable constitutional democracy.
Fully revised in 2003 to pave the way for its accessions to NATO and the European Union, the document cements the rule of law, national sovereignty, and a rigid separation of powers. 📜
Mihnea Stoica provides an important presentation on the Historical Context & Evolution.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NcWwjI11b0lNRyGJiJbflvFYmQazWyRe/view
Cecilia Palomo Caudillo - Mexico - The Constitutionalization of Women’s and Girls’ Rights: Progress, Challenges, and Future Directions
Global Network Ambassador for World Constitution Day - Mexico
The Constitutionalization of Women’s and Girls’ Rights: Progress, Challenges, and Future Directions
Learn from Cecilia how Mexico has taken historic strides by embedding women’s and girls’ rights directly into its Political Constitution. This framework accelerated significantly under President Claudia Sheinbaum, the country's first female leader, following structural reforms enacted in November 2024.
Dr. Cecilia Palomo is a lecturer specializing in human rights and gender perspective, Vice President of the Mexican Bar Association in Aguascalientes, Member of the International Association of Women Judges, Associate of the UNESCO Chair on Futures Literacy, and Professor at the Federal Judiciary Government in Mexico. She has been a lecturer in seminars related to human rights in America, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Watch Here:
Filippo Lombardi - Lugano - Switzerland - Article 50 of the Swiss Constitution- Italian Language - From The Constitutio Project
Filippo Lombardi
Lugano - Switzerland
Article 50 - Italian Language - The Constitutio Project- A Recital of Swiss Constitution articles in 4 languages at https://constitutio.ch/articoli/art-50
Filippo is but one of dozens of speakers who recite various paragraphs and articles of their Swiss Constitution of 1848.
Article 50 of the Swiss Federal Constitution guarantees the autonomy of communes (municipalities) and mandates that the federal government accounts for local and regional impacts in its decisions.
Located under Section 3 (Local Communities) of the Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation, it establishes the framework for local governance within Switzerland's three-tier federalist system.
Filippo Lombardi is a prominent Swiss politician, media entrepreneur, and sports executive from the canton of Ticino. Born on May 29, 1956, in Bellinzona, he is a long-standing member of the Christian Democratic People's Party (now known as The Centre) and has spent decades as a key figure in Ticino’s regional development, Swiss federal politics, and local media sectors.
Aurela Anastasi - Albania - Constitution and Environmental Protection for Today and Future Generations
Aurela Anastasi - Albania
Constitution and Environmental Protection for Today and Future Generations
The 1998 Constitution of Albania outlines environmental protection as a fundamental social objective under Articles 56 and 59, though these provisions historically functioned as state goals rather than strictly enforceable rights. Recent legislative actions, such as the controversial Law No. 21/2024, weakened these safeguards by opening protected areas to commercial development, prompting intense public backlash and subsequent commitments to reverse the amendments under European Union accession pressure.
Aurela Anastasi is a highly respected authority on the evolution of Albanian constitutionalism. Her extensive academic body of work focuses heavily on democratic transitions, including:
- Documenting the 25-year history of the 1998 Albanian Constitution.
- Analyzing international reviews of constitutional modifications, such as the major 2020 electoral changes.
- Evaluating how the Constitutional Court interprets fundamental rights, such as international protections for minors.
- Studying how Albania’s constitutional mechanisms are designed to harmonize with EU legal standards.
Watch Here:
José Renato Nalini - The 1988 Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil
José Renato Nalini - Brazil
The 1988 Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil
Known widely as the "Citizen Constitution," the 1988 text re-established democracy in Brazil following 21 years of military dictatorship. Nalini has been one of its major legal voices, particularly regarding judicial ethics, environmental preservation, and public administration.
José Renato Nalini is a highly prominent Brazilian jurist, professor, writer, and magistrate whose career and legal philosophy have been deeply intertwined with the execution and critique of the 1988 Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
Watch Here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bbh3hMcquzrZl1t3HGofOwJcvHV3NdSF/view
The Model Constitutional Convention - USA
Stefanie Lindquist and Neta Borshansky - USA
Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
The Model Constitutional Convention created by University students
This national event invites undergraduate, law, and master’s students from across the United States with an interest in constitutional law, history, design, and reform to take part in a transformative learning experience focused on the constitutional amendment process, civic engagement and dialogue, and democratic principles and procedures.
Watch Here on YouTube:
Our History
Since its establishment in 2020, World Constitution Day has served as a vital link between constitutional scholars, practitioners, advocates and educators. Over the years, we have worked tirelessly to promote speakers, events, celebrations and cultural exchange between our friends, globally. Join us!
Our Team
Our dedicated team is comprised of experienced professionals who are committed to providing the highest level of service to those who wish to celebrate World Constitution Day. We are proud to represent World Constitution Day throughout the world, and we look forward to serving you.
This Platform is for You!
We offer a broad platform; a place where celebrants can meet interested participants and viewers. This platform provides a wide range of communication methods, including posts from global participants, documents to help guide your participation, blogs and assistance for social media outreach. Our goal is to make your World Constitution Day experience as smooth and efficient as possible. Reach out if you have questions, input or ideas.
highlight From the Big Day
Celebrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) on World Constitution Day
SHOULD AI WRITE YOUR CONSTITUTION?
Richard Alber† and Kevin Frazier
Watch Kevin Celebrate Here on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRjMfE5voMA
Artificial Intelligence (AI) now has the capacity to write a constitution for any country in the world. But should it? The immediate reaction is likely emphatically no—and understandably so, given that there is no greater exercise of popular sovereignty than the act of constituting oneself under higher law legitimated by the consent of the governed.
But constitution-making is not a single act at a single moment. It is a series of discrete steps demanding varying degrees of popular participation to produce a text that enjoys legitimacy both in perception and reality. Some of these steps could prudently integrate human-AI collaboration or autonomous AI assistance—or so we argue in this first Article to explain and evaluate how constitutional designers not only could, but also should, harness the extraordinary potential of AI.
We combine our expertise as innovators in the use and design of AI with our direct involvement as advisors in constitution-making processes
around the world to map the terrain of opportunities and hazards in the next iteration of the continuing fusion of technology with governance. We ask and answer the most important question now confronting constitutional designers: how to use AI in making and reforming constitutions?
impactful insights on world constitution day
Does the Process of Constitution-Making Matter?
Does the Process of Constitution-Making Matter?
by
Tom Ginsburg, Zachary Elkins, and Justin Blount
Constitution-making is a ubiquitous but poorly understood phenomenon. There is much speculation but relatively little evidence about the impact of different design processes on constitutional outcomes. Much of the debate reduces to the question of who is involved in the process and when. We consider two central issues in this regard. The first is the problem of institutional self-dealing, or whether governmental organs that have something to gain from the constitutional outcome should be involved in the process. The second has to do with the merits of public involvement in the process. Both of these concerns have clear normative implications and both are amenable to straightforward social scientific analysis. This article surveys the relevant research on constitution-making, describes the conceptual issues involved in understanding constitution-making, reviews the various claims regarding variation in constitution-making processes, and presents a set of baseline empirical results from a new set of data on the content and process of constitution-making.
Horizontal Efficacy of Fundamental Rights
Horizontal Efficacy of Fundamental Rights
by Marcelo Figueiredo
Special Presentation for World Constitution Day
Overview: Mr. Figueiredo discusses the struggle and achievement of fundamental rights in which the state does not act directly. This is in recognition that certain rights must be considered in relationships with others. An elaboration of what happens to fundamental rights when they come into contact with other aspects of the law. This area is marked with great controversy as they often involve a third party. Discussing American, German and Brazilian doctrine in this matter, along with earlier research and writings. The comprehensive lecture includes Power Point slides of the highlights to facilitate the meaning of the lecture.
Bio: Lawyer and legal consultant in São Paulo. Associate Professor of Constitutional Law at the Faculty of Law of PUC-SP where he was director in two successive administrations. He is president and founder of the Brazilian Association of Democratic Constitutionalists (ABCD), of the Brazilian section of the Instituto Ibero-Americano de Derecho Constitucional with headquarters in Mexico. He is vice president of the International Association of Constitutional Law (IACL-AIDC).
Pre-recorded Presentation especially for World Constitution Day
Sri Lanka Constitution - 45 Years On
Forty Five Years of the Second Republican Constitution of Sri Lanka: The Consolidation of Authoritarianism in the Service of Capital
SANJAYA WILSON JAYASEKERA
Background: A student of comparative constitutionalism would learn that Sri Lanka constitutional history is an example of how written constitutions could be instruments of power for authoritarian regimes and near dictatorships, serving the interests of the market. As described in the presentation, the past half a century of Sri Lankan history is the history of two written constitutions: the constitution of 1972 and of 1978. Under these two republican constitutions, Sri Lankan working people and the poor of all ethnicities bore the brunt of two insurgencies that were crudely crushed, and one racist civil war that lasted close to three decades victimizing lives of hundreds of thousands, not to mention a series of instances of discrimination and violence against ethnic minorities and the working class who fought for better living conditions.
Bio: Sanjaya Wilson Jayasekera, LL.B, LL.M, is an Attorney-at-Law, practicing in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He is a human rights activist and a journalist. He is the editor of theRepublic.LK website and the author of the book titled, 'Neoliberal Constitutionalism and the Austerity State: the Resurgence of Authoritarianism in the Service of Market.' He is a lecturer of Sri Lanka Law College, teaching Constitutional Law.
Youtube link to presentation for World Constitution Day
Thomas Jefferson as portrayed by historic performer Bill Barker of Monticello, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Guests at Monticello can meet Thomas Jefferson (as portrayed by veteran historical actor-interpreter Bill Barker) in person. Widely recognized as the foremost interpreter of our nation's third President, Barker appears as Jefferson in regularly-scheduled programming, meeting with guests, answering questions, and bringing a deep and nuanced portrayal of the man who wrote "all men are created" and helped found the United States of America.
Hear Thos. Jefferson celebrate World Constitution Day
James Madison’s Contribution to the Derivation of the United States Constitution. James Madison is commonly known as the "Father of the Constitution".
Professional Interpreter and actor of USA President James Madison
Writer / Director / Producer / Promoter / Actor
Historic performer Kyle Jenks will portray James Madison in this session. In character he will explain Madison’s major contributions to the United States Constitution as well as provide context with commentary on what led to his conclusions.
August 1st: Video Available To Watch Here
The American Constitution - Redoing the US Constitution? Presented by Albert Gallatin, Pennsylvania State Legislator
Speaker
Albert Gallatin, Pennsylvania State Legislator - 1789-1793, 1794; US Representative from Pennsylvania - 1795-1801; Secretary of the Treasury 1801-1814
Overview- Historic performer, Ron Duquette, portrays Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin in this informative and entertaining overview of the September, 1788 convention called in Harrisburg, PA to both protest the rapidity of the ratification of the US Constitution by Pennsylvania - which occurred as a result of the "delayed" notification of possible Western Pennsylvania delegates - to call for a new Constitutional Convention because of the lack of enumerated individual rights within the draft US Constitution. When the convention attempted to promote that approach, that is, throw out the whole thing and start all over, Albert Gallatin protested strongly. Gallatin's involvement with this movement identified him as "anti-federalist" (as opposed to an "anti-Federalist") - opposing the centralization of too much power at the center without securing the rights of the individual (although the second was what he became as he aligned himself more and more with Jefferson and, after a time, Madison - who had started, actually, as a Federalist).
August 1st
World Constitution Day Presentation
Watch This Video Below
FEATURED EVENTS 2027 upcoming
University of Texas - Austin - Celebrates World Constitution Day with Launch of the global summit on constitutionalism
Global Summit on Constitutionalism
Launched For March 17-19, 2027
From the Director's Desk
The next Global Summit on Constitutionalism will be held on March 17-19, 2027, at the University of Texas at Austin. They hosted the first edition in 2021, the second in 2023, and the third in 2025. This will be their fourth. All are welcome. Stay tuned for registration details!
***
Would you like to sponsor the 2027 Global Summit? You might sponsor a plenary speaker, a featured panel, a group meal, or commemorative t-shirts. There are many ways to be involved as a sponsor. Please contact if you would like to learn more!
Richard Albert - https://lnkd.in/gDq9qGH4
Richard Albert | Professor in Law | Professor of Government, Director of Constitutional Studies | The University of Texas at Austin, Texas
Internet: https://www.richardalbert.com | Twitter: @richardalbert
watch 1787 Film about the American Constitution
From David Garrigus Productions
Constitution Movie Screens celebrating World Constitution Day
David Garrigus Productions, the acclaimed producer of documentary and educational programs, celebrates World Constitution Day with launch of film entitled 1787, The American Constitution.
In celebration of World Constitution Day August 1st.
Click on Link for Free Premier Screening Event
Dated July 30, 1787. George Washington diary entry: "In company with Mr. Govr. Morris, went up to one Jane Moores in the vicinity of Valley Forge to get Trout." Washington portrayed by David Whalen in upcoming film "The American Constitution." hashtag #OTD hashtag #independencehall hashtag #Constitution hashtag #OnThisDay hashtag #WorldConstitutionDay, hashtag #America250
1787 Film Launch about the American Constitution
David Garrigus Productions
David Garrigus Productions, the acclaimed producer of documentary and educational programs, celebrates World Constitution Day with launch of film entitled 1787, The American Constitution.
David Garrigus Productions is making a historical feature film entitled “1787; The American Constitution”. The documentary features leading scholars and authors of 73 books on the Founding Era—winners of the Pulitzer Prize and National Humanities Medal. This non-partisan production brings to life the American Constitution’s 1787 original story through dramatic actor portrayals of the Framers— Washington, Madison, and Hamilton struggle against overwhelming odds to save their fledgling country from ruin.
This project is Director David Garrigus’ second major historical documentary after his acclaimed PBS two-hour film "Kitty Hawk: The Wright Brothers’ Journey of Invention" featuring Neil Armstrong and John Glenn.
"Global Impact Trailer"
This Global Impact Video explains how the American Constitution has impacted the rest of the world with many democracies having fashioned their constitution after the US Constitution in one way or another.
See Video Clip here:
Time: August 1st and anytime thereafter
celebrating "artwork" on World constitution day
On World Constitution Day we celebrate custom, illustrative artwork for covers of books on topics in Constitutional Law all over the world.
Book Series "Constitutional Systems of the World"
This book series bears book covers which conjure the spirit of specific national constitutional systems. Essentially, the covers have been conceived as a special kind of visual analogue referring to nationality, institutions, laws, and individual actors which not only represent relevant institutional features in a national context, but also serve to brand a series of books well known to scholars and students working in the field of comparative constitutional law. The artwork reflects the artist’s distinctive technical vocabulary of compositional elements, complex images and the use of allegory and metaphor.
#art #constitutionallaw #coverdesign #constitution #WorldConstitutionDay
"It's a Republic, if you can Keep it!" A review of my role in the US Constitution
Speaker: Benjamin Franklin
Professional Interpreter and actor of Benjamin Franklin
Historic performer Barry Stevens will portray Benjamin Franklin in this session. In character he will explain Franklin's view of the United States Constitution as well as provide context with commentary on what led to his contribution.
August 1st: Video Available To Watch Here
Power of the Supreme Court in the Constitution
Speaker: Francisco Rezek
Born in Brazil in 1944. Graduate in Law, Federal University of Minas Gerais. Docteur de l'Université de Paris-Sorbonne. Diploma in Law, University of Oxford. Honorary Fellow of Wolfson College. Professor of International Law and Dean of the Law Scholl, University of Brasilia. Professor and lecturer on International Law: Rio Branco Institute, The Hague Academy of International Law, Université de Paris, New York University, and all major Brazilian universities.
Formerly: Attorney-General of the Republic, Justice of the Supreme Court of Brazil, Chancellor (Foreign Minister) of Brazil, Judge at the International Court of Justice of the United Nations. Published works in Brazil, France, Belgium, England, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Serbia, Romania, Argentina, Uruguay
Earliest Versions of the U.S. Constitution from the Archives of Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Dr. Lee Arnold
Dr. Lee Arnold discusses six earliest versions of the U.S. Constitution housed in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania's collection. Includes discussion of earliest wording of the constitution, methods of revision and drafts by James Wilson of Pennsylvania, who in his capacity as first Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania, he taught the first course on the new Constitution to President Washington and his cabinet in 1789 and 1790.
Dr. Lee Arnold, Senior Director of the Library & Collections and Chief Operating Officer, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia's Library of American History
Pre-recorded Presentation
From Draft to Official Document: The U.S. Constitution at HSP
Additional Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Wilson_(founding_father)
First Freedoms for World Constitution Day
First Amendment to the US Constitution
Jane Hampton Cook
It's World Constitution Day!
Author Jane Hampton Cook shares origin stories behind the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment in the Bill of Rights. These stories are adapted from her articles and books, especially Stories of Faith & Courage from the Revolutionary War.
Details at janecook.com
Time: August 1st and anytime thereafter
Zambia is celebrating World Constitution Day
Zambia Celebrates World Constitution Day
Today is World Constitution Day, a celebration of written constitutions around the world. To commemorate the day, we reiterate the call for a transparent and participatory constitutional reform process in Zambia.
Josiah Kalala has written about the legal-political and social contexts that necessitate constitutional reform in Zambia. Further, he looks at what a new constitution can do to address the challenges by focusing on the transformative potential of constitutions. He argues that views that the government shouId first focus on fixing the economy before it addresses constitution issues are misplaced because firstly, the economic, social, and legal challenges Zambia face cannot be delinked from the Constitution. Secondly, he argues that the process of reviewing the constitution is already underway and therefore, the time for transparency and participation is now. He conclude by calling for a transparent and participatory process that allows the people of Zambia to determine their own destiny.