When and Where?

The Conference is to be held on the 25th, 26th and 27th of November, in the city of Barcelona, at the installations known as the “City of Theatre”, which for three days will be converted into the “City of Democracy”. The installations include the Mercat de les Flors, the Teatre Lliure and the Institut del Teatre. A marquee will also be set up in the adjacent Plaça de Margarita Xirgu. 

The conference will start with a cocktail party to welcome the participants, on the evening of the 25th, and will conclude with a dinner on the night of the 27th. 

Moreover, the Democratic Cities Conference will also be taking place on the 28th, along with the Jam of the Metadecidim Community.

Who is it for?

It is open to anyone interested in the implementation of participatory democracy at the local level. Some of the persons who may be interested are:

• Local government representatives 
• Members of research centres
• Activists and people involved in social movements
• Representatives of NGOs with an interest in participatory democracy

What are the topics?

This year the topics will be direct democracy, citizens’ initiative and inclusive participation ecosystems. Here you will find a detailed description of each of these three thematic blocs. 

What is the IOPD?

The International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (IOPD) is a worldwide network of local governments, organisations and research centres with an interest in learning about, exchanging impressions on and applying participatory democracy experiences in the local sphere, for the purpose of extending democracy. The IOPD works closely with the Barcelona City Council and with United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).

Find out more about IOPD at www.oidp.net

More detailed information and the conference programme can be found here.