The Power of Youth
While Democracy International is losing its most senior colleague Klaus Hofmann, as an association we’re also happy to see our youth programme growing and growing. After being awarded the third prize of the European Parliament’s prestigious Charlemagne Youth Prize, we’re...
Failed referendums and direct democracy in Slovakia
On 21 January 2023, for the 9th time since the country’s independence in 1993, citizens were called to vote in a national referendum. This episode is the latest development in the political rift shacking the country.
Conference on the Future of Europe, but actually make it inclusive
Since 2019, we have reported extensively on the developments around the Conference on the Future of Europe, from our advocacy work with Citizens Take Over Europe to the monitoring of the actual European Citizens’ Panels on the ground....
Can we trust citizens to organise our power utilities through direct democracy?
There is a growing trend of remunicipalisation of utilities worldwide - citizens at local and regional levels reorganising utilities with the maximum aim of public interest in mind. Portland, one of the largest cities in the U.S state of Maine, is gearing up to take a citizens’...
A Road to Independence
In 1998, with the Scotland Act, the Parliament of the United Kingdom established the modern Scottish Parliament. Setting the legislative competence of the Scottish government, it allowed for certain level of self-governance and autonomy by devolved powers. Those are, however,...
The Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy: The Swiss Way – A Direct Democracy Experience
On Wednesday the 21 September 2022 we took to Switzerland for our annual Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy hosted in Lucerne. With participants arriving from over 60 countries across the globe, the city of Lucerne was high in the spirit of democracy!
By Londeka Mgwaba...
Invitation to join us in Mexico
Dear Friends of Democracy,
Will modern direct democracy save democracy—or threaten it?
You are invited to join us in Mexico very soon — from February 27 to March 4, 2023 — as we attempt to answer that big question.
The f(YOUTH)ure of the European Citizens’ Initiative
Great news for the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) and the future of youth participation in European democracy: Germany and Belgium join the list of countries that allow 16 year olds to sign an ECI!
Goodbye Ukrainian Vibes and see you next year!
“What really unites people is civic activism.”
“I believe everyone should always stand up for justice. And this is nice, this is a very nice initiative. It makes me as a refugee from Afghanistan very happy and welcomed, and I hope that Ukrainians feel the love you guys are...
US Midterms: Abortion and direct democracy on the ballot
On November 8, around 170 million United States (US) voters will be called to the polls for the midterm elections, but while the world focuses on the House majority it is easy to forget that in 37 states voters will also be asked to decide on 132 ballot questions. Ballotpedia...