Dear
 
 

Yesterday evening a friend of mine called me. He does not work on politics, he is a German web designer. He asked me many probing questions on the US elections, Brexit, the state of the EU. He was stunned and said one sentence to be remarked: The world has lost its human plot, I want to understand!

I guess these days, we all want to understand better: What is currently happening in the world? Why is populism so attractive to many people? What is going wrong with our political systems? What are the solutions so that most people will be happy again with their lives?

And I believe, we must all understand EACH OTHER better. In this view, I look forward to joining the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy in San Sebastián, Spain, next week. Bringing together scholars, journalists, activists, election administrators and politicians from all parts of the world, it will provide a unique platform to explore these questions. Democracy International is one of the main organisers. I hope that we will find many answers to bring back home to initiate change and to bridge the gaps.

All the best,
Cora Pfafferott
 
News
 
 
 
   
Follow live: Global Forum in San Sebastián!
From 16 to 19 November 2016, 200 people from across the world will come together in Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain, to address the questions if direct democracy is in retreat or on the rise. The gathering forms the sixth Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy that aims at connecting local governments and social movements to people power around the world. Democracy International is one of the main organisers. The conference will be broadcasted via live streaming.
 
 
 
 
   
Referendum in Bulgaria deliberately left at low key
On Sunday, 6 November 2016, a citizen-initiated referendum was held in Bulgaria on three questions.
 
 
 
 
   
EU Commission, listen to us!
On 24 October, Democracy International, Mehr Demokratie and The ECI Campaign handed over 40,996 signatures to the EU Commission to demand a reform of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI).
 
 
 
 
   
"The refugee vote misuses political communication"
Interview with Zoltán Pozsár-Szentmiklósy, an Assistant Professor at the Eötvös Loránd University of Budapest of human rights, on the plebiscite in Hungary.
 
 
 
 
   
Watch this video
on our political action "Stand up for a democratic Europe - Now!", filmed in Bratislava on 16 September 2016!
 
 
 
 
Democracy International