"In varietate concordia - United in diversity"

...is the motto of the European Union. As in all other parts of the world, it comes to life when citizens, not just the institutions, live by it. That is crucial today, perhaps more than ever.

But democracy needs real spaces and time to develop. A horizontal and inclusive exchange that allows everyone to work together on the issues that concern us all. Here, ideals are confronted and filter bubbles broken. And that is how we came up with the idea for our European Public Sphere Project.

Since the end of 2017, we have visited more than 20 public places in Europe with a geodesic wooden construction, the Europe Dome. Its more than 150 struts come together in triangles, pentagons and hexagons. They reflect the cultural diversity and demographic statics of the common European home. All those who want to share their ideas, fears and visions of Europe gather under its roof. Passers-by, everyday citizens, representatives of various organisations - everyone is welcome in our common political space.

The results of these equal, open discussions are made available online for further discussion. In November, we will hand them over to the newly elected European Parliament in a catalogue of ideas - from the citizens to their political representatives. We are building bridges!

Simultaneously, we are working towards a new European Convention, which the European Parliament can proclaim under Article 48 of the Treaty of Lisbon. For Democracy International, this is the beginning of a new, inclusive European constitution. Close to the citizens at every step, it should culminate in a Europe-wide referendum.

Shortly before the European elections, the European Public Sphere is starting its next tour. From the end of March on, it will visit three countries in 11 stops: Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. In shopping centres, on beaches and in 14th century former monasteries, they all become a European Public Sphere. Follow us on our exciting journey or even better, come by and discuss with us!

Yours,

Anne Hardt,

Campaigning and Fundraising Manager, Democracy International

The European Public Sphere sets out on a tour of the BeNeLux

Just before the European Elections, the moment has arrived: the Europe Dome is going on tour again! And it will be exciting: 11 stops and three new countries.

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Dealing with this complicated history, Peru‘s transition to democracy started 17 years ago. The constitution of the semi-presidential republic enshrines not only four direct-democratic instruments at the national level, but also two at the local level. At the Navigator to Direct Democracy symposium on “Political Culture and Active Citizenship” at the Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Arturo Maldonado, professor at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, spoke with Democracy International about the use of these instruments at the local level and the current status of democracy in Peru.

The revised European Citizens' Initiative is finally here

After two long years, we are happy to announce that the new regulation of the ECI has been approved! For the first time ever, the ECI will see concrete structural improvements and become a more user-friendly tool of participatory and direct democracy in Europe.

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The spirit of 1979

In his new book, About The Referendum and Other Essays on Constitutional Politics, Professor Matt Qvortrup looks at the historical development of referendums and how they are used. We spoke with him on the future of citizen participation in the United Kingdom after Brexit.

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Face-to-face with the Citizens of the Irish Assembly

Democracy International organised a study trip for activists and professionals to Dublin, looking to uncover what it was about the Irish process of involving everyday citizens in agenda-setting that made it so successful?

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The ‘third wave’ of autocratisation and the dangers to democracy

The world is currently witnessing a wave of autocratisation, and yet over half of all countries remain democracies. These are the results of the first long-term study of democratisation and autocratisation since 1900.

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