From Votes to Voices
In a time of electoral promises and party-centered politics, we ask: what would our democracies look like if we were more than mere voters? How can complex democracies listen to the voices of citizens on a permanent basis?
FIDE's Annual Event, "From Votes to Voices", aims to explore and push the boundaries of our existing democratic systems. The European Elections campaign is an opportunity to imagine new ways of engaging in public decisions. Votes are exclusionary, they reduce citizens’ priorities to the most salient and polarizing issues. Deliberative Democracy, as a concept and practice, enriches representative democracies by enabling a more inclusive and continuous engagement of citizens. It opens avenues for people to contribute to policymaking beyond the periodic act of voting. This approach acknowledges that citizens' views are diverse and complex, and it seeks to accommodate this diversity in political decision-making.
The focus will not be on fleeting electoral promises but on sustainable, tangible actions and real-world examples of how deliberation and participation are being integrated into democratic systems across Europe. These examples will serve as seeds of hope and inspiration, demonstrating that change is not only possible but already happening.
Welcome, Hanna!
We are delighted to announce Hanna Kádár as our new Projects and Events Assistant. She has a background in documentary filmmaking, with experience on event organization and project management through her work at various film festivals and international workshops.
She is helping us better communicate our Deliberative Schools and provides invaluable support to the entire team. Hanna's journey from a documentary filmmaker to deliberative democracy illustrates the diverse paths that lead to active civic engagement!
One more step towards enduring deliberation!
The European Commission has adopted a recommendation for member states to enhance citizen and civil society engagement in public policy-making. The package emphasizes inclusiveness and integrity by utilizing best practices in democratic lotteries. We welcome the commitment to inclusivity, especially for underrepresented groups, ensuring diverse voices are heard and valued in policymaking.
Emphasis on training and information sessions is included for civil society organizations and public authorities. Consequential participation requires to build the democratic capacity in our society and institutions. Balanced information and time also feature as paramount to ensure quality and legitimate processes.
Crucially, the recommendation highlights the need for dedicated funding for these participatory frameworks at all government levels. Such financial support is vital for the sustainability and impact of citizen-led exercises like panels and assemblies.
This move signifies a progressive shift towards more inclusive and effective democratic participation in the EU. The implementation by member states will be key to ensure meaningful participation!
Network on Citizen Participation and Deliberation
Representatives of the members of the network in Brussels
In November, the European Committee of the Regions hosted the second meeting of this network. FIDE and Bertelsmann Stiftung gathered experts on participation and deliberation coming from leading institutions throughout Europe to exchange and learn from their institutional insight. The constructive discussions also touched upon the possible challenges of the future in leveling up citizen involvement in policy-making.
The expertise coming from real-life experience and the hands on knowledge of national parliaments, regional governments and international institutions are essential for impactful citizen engagement processes. Administration have a key role in opening the door to citizens' contributions in participatory and deliberative processes.
After the meeting the project received valuable input to continue working together on ways to improve consequential citizen participation and deliberation in Europe.
News and important announcements will follow next year!
Towards Permanent Climate Assemblies
Amongst the most important developments in climate governance are permanent climate assemblies. We have partnered with KNOCA to reflect on the experience gathered by municipalities with ongoing deliberative processes on climate. Watch representatives from Brussels, Milan and Paris share their experiences in establishing these innovative methods.
Each city has approached the idea differently, providing valuable insights into the challenges and benefits of making citizen assemblies a regular feature of climate governance. Together with the experts from the cities, we examined their evolution, integration into the political system, and potential to reshape climate governance.
Visit KNOCA’s site to watch the recording of the workshop and download the briefing!
Thank you!
As we look towards the new year, we're excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We believe that our collective effort will continue to yield transformative changes in the way democracy functions, making it more inclusive, fair and effective.
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each one of you – our members, partners, and supporters – for your unwavering commitment and contributions. Your insights, enthusiasm, and dedication are the driving forces behind our shared success.
Wishing you a restorative holiday season and a wonderful start to the new year. Let's continue to innovate, inspire, and involve citizens in shaping the future of our democracies.
Gratefully,
FIDE’s team