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...
Upgrading citizens participation must be at the centre of State of the Union
On 9 May 2022, the year-long Conference on the Future of Europe concluded and published its work. While the final report of the Conference provides an ambitious programme for Europe, the follow-up remains to be seen and implemented.
Tunisia: A U-turn from democracy
Once regarded as the sole democracy that has emerged from the mass protests of the Arab Spring in 2011, Tunisia is now experiencing extensive setbacks in its path to democracy. In a referendum on August 16th Tunisia adopted a new constitution implementing a presidential system...
Direct democracy is back in the 21st century
The book entitled Direct democracies has just been published in French following several others is situated in the context of a broad demand for direct democracy in France since...
Chile’s new constitution: An unstable path to the countries future
When in 2019, protests following proposed rises in subway fairs escalated into a broader movement about the country’s constitution, Chile began its long and complicated path towards changing its political system. In 2020, with a voter turnout of almost 50%, Chileans voted...
The Michigan Freedom for Reproductive Rights Campaign and the power of the Citizens Initiative
Politics encompassing a moral dimension often garner considerably more controversy being, as Christopher Mooney puts it, “the validation of a particular set of fundamental values” rather than being viewed and assessed in purely practical terms. The potential for conflict...