NEWSLETTER #10
29 November 2005
www.democracy-international.org
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Content
0) EDITORIAL: FORWARD ME
1) INSIDE BRUSSELS - PARALYSED EU INSTITUTIONS
2) OUTSIDE BRUSSELS - SOFIA AND BERLIN
3) NEW CONVENTION
4) BOOK ABOUT DIRECT DEMOCRACY
5) EVALUATION: REFERENDUMS IN FRANCE AND THE NETHERLANDS
6) POPULAR INITIATIVE IN AMSTERDAM
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0) EDITORIAL: FORWARD ME
by Ronald Pabst
On several occasions I have talked to Belgian activists about a
book written by Jos Verhulst. His words inspired them to start
working for direct democracy. Now we are translating and
publishing this book in six languages. We are happy to present it
from the beginning of 2006 on. I am currently proofreading the
German version - and I can already understand the enthusiasm
of our Belgians friends.
This month’s newsletter covers interesting events inside and
outside Brussels as well as our proposal how to proceed with the
European integration. Furthermore, we have expanded our series
of monitor reports. You find two new papers evaluating the
referendums in France and the Netherlands.
We finish with a report about the introduction of the Popular
Initiative in Amsterdam.
This is the tenth newsletter of democracy international.
Please help us to get more readers. Simply forward this mail
to people who are interested in questions of (European) democracy,
write a few lines about your connection to us and ask them to subscribe at:
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1) INSIDE BRUSSELS - PARALYSED EU INSTITUTIONS
This time Lars Bosselmann writes about a meeting held in the
European Economic and Social Committee: The European
Citizens’ Initiative got a lot of support.
www.democracy-international.org/insidebrussels-nr2.html
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2) OUTSIDE BRUSSELS - SOFIA AND BERLIN
In cooperation with other partners we are organising a series of
meetings about direct democracy in Europe.
We are preparing a conference in Berlin on January 27 & 28, 2006:
“Democratising Europe - the role of direct democracy”
Subsequent to it we will organize the next meeting of democracy
international on January 29.
You will get soon more information…
report about the first conference in Sofia
democracy-international.org/sofia-conference.html
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3) NEW CONVENTION
We propose a democratic procedure that should lead to a result
accepted by a majority of the Europeans. We will spread an
appeal to parliamentarians all over Europe.
Please join this discussion. Send us your feedback, sign it and
spread the idea in your country. It is currently available in three
languages.
www.democracy-international.org/new-convention.html
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4) BOOK ABOUT DIRECT DEMOCRACY
Around a century ago, most countries in the Western world introduced
universal voting rights. Since then, the opportunities for citizens to take
part in the political decision-making process have basically never been
further extended. But society has definitely evolved considerably during
that time.
Our new up-to-date book pleads for a major democratic step forward.
It will be available from beginning of 2006 on. We will sell the paper
edition for 10 Euro (including post an package to anywhere in Europe)
and offer a free online edition.
www.democracy-international.org/book.html
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5) EVALUATION: REFERENDUMS IN FRANCE AND THE NETHERLANDS
Our monitoring reports evaluate the fairness of the process
in Spain, France and the Netherlands using internationally
recognized standards for such referendums.
www.democracy-international.org/papers.html
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6) POPULAR INITIATIVE IN AMSTERDAM
In 2001 a group of 7 young inhabitants of Amsterdam decided to
start a campaign under the banner "Amsterdams Initiatief" (AI) to
improve the possibilities for citizens to have a direct say in local
politics.
They succeeded: the improved law went into effect in October 2004.
Now, one year later, one of the initiators tells us the story.
Arjen Nijeboer draws a disenchanted conclusion.
www.democracy-international.org/amsterdamsinitiatief.html
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Ronald Pabst / Carsten Berg
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