Dear reader,
For the first time ever, our Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy will head to Eastern Europe! Next year from 15-18 May, the largest conference on direct democracy in the world will head to Bucharest, Romania for what is a crucial time for the country and the region.
Not only will the Forum take place two weeks before the European Union parliamentary elections, offering participants a unique insight into the democratic processes of the world’s only transnational democracy. But later in 2024, Romania will also have local and national elections and in all likelihood join the Schengen area, completing a decade-long process of EU accession.
The 2024 Global Forum will devote its attention to the all-important issue of trust. Trust in institutions, trust in media and trust in citizens. A sobering statistic shows that less than one in four Romanians trust their Government and even less (12%!) trust the Parliament.
Trust is the compound that binds the very fabric of our democracy. If we don’t trust each other, how can we be expected to make decisions with and for each other?
At the same time trust in the sovereignty of people, trust in a peaceful Europe has come under unprecedented pressure. The region is at the forefront of the global crisis, with the war in Ukraine taking a toll on life and security in Romania, neighbouring Moldova and the entire Black Sea region. Now is a crucial time to reconfirm the fundamental importance of democracy and to reimagine a democracy that works for everyone.
We look forward to you joining us for that conversation in Bucharest next year!