Cool and Calm: Direct democracy in Switzerland
Witnessing Swiss citizens practising direct democracy and learning from experts how the system works – this was the aim of the journey to the Swiss Confederation from 2 – 4 May 2014, organised by our partner organisation Mehr Demokratie e.V.
Lacking Transparency requires Democracy Update of EU
Transparency International (TI) published its first report on corruption and integrity risks in the institutions of the European Union on 24 April 2014. The report – the first one on this issue – finds that the foundation of EU anti-corruption and anti-fraud measures is solid in...
Danube Democracy Rally: Third Stop Budapest
Csaba Madarasz, a political activist from Budapest and member of Democracy International, had organised for us our stay in Hungary's capital. From 6 - 9 April we enjoyed a rich programme of sightseeing, political debate and exchange with Hungarian civil society groups.
Danube Democracy Diary: Second Stop Bratislava
Our democracy friends of the civic association "Direct democracy" (OzPD) cordially welcomed us in Slovakia's capital. On our agenda were a big democracy conference in the Slovak parliament, a visit to the historic town hall, presentations by campaigners and the general assembly.
Danube Democracy Diary: First Stop Vienna
On first April more than 50 democracy activists from as diverse countries as India, USA and Bulgaria came together in Vienna to join the Danube Democracy Rally. Our aim is to learn from each other, to deepen our knowledge on direct democracy and also to have fun together while...
“Knowledge is power” - Austria towards more transparency
As power derives from the people in a democracy, citizens also should have control over governmental information. On Wednesday, 19 March 2014, our campaigner Daniel Lentfer held a speech in Vienna at the association of Austrian cities (“Österreichischer Städtebund”) in order to...
EU Commission responds to ECI "Right2Water"
The European Commission today presented its official conclusion on how to proceed with the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) “Water is a Human Right”, the first ECI ever that qualified for submission to the European Commission. Speaking on behalf of the EU’s executive body, EU...
Empowering citizens through technology in Colombia
Ahead of the Presidential elections that will take place in Columbia on 14 May 2014, we talked to Renny Rueda Castañeda from Ecodemocracy, a civil society organisation that advocates direct democracy and more citizen participation through technological means in Columbia and in...
Rockstar Bono stands out at EPP Congress
From 6 to 7th March 2014 the European People’s Party (EPP), the conservative party family of the EU, held a Congress in Dublin to discuss their European agenda and to elect the top candidate for the next European elections.
Armin Steuernagel, in charge of leading...
Direct Democracy in Hungary: "A sad topic"
The next parliamentary elections will be held in Hungary on 6 April 2014. Dr. Zoltán Tibor Pállinger, Professor at the Andrássy University of Budapest, explains the new electoral system and the issues at stake when 8 million registered Hungarians will cast their vote. Just one...