Beyond elitist promoters and populist leavers
The future of a transnational political community is at stake in Europe this year – and with it fundamental democratic rights and freedoms. Active citizens from across the continent will participate in an international forum in Liverpool on the future of participatory democracy on May 5. Join inExternal link and follow the conversation!
“Democratic Participation in a Citizen’s Europe: What Next for the EU?“External link is the title of a one day gathering at Liverpool’s Foresight Centre on May 5.
Hosted by the Liverpool European Law UnitExternal link, the Democratic SocietyExternal link and the ECI CampaignExternal link civil society activists, politicians, journalists, administrators and academics will address not only the challenges put to democracy in Europe, but also focus on concrete reforms to be implemented across the continent.
While debatesExternal link about European issues tend to see traditional elitist promoters clash with a growing number of populist critics of the integration process, moves to properly democratise all levels of government are often seen as minor priority even in the media.
“It is time to put the power of dialogue and participatory reform first,” says James Organ, a lecturer of law at Liverpool University and member of the host committee of this event, which is co-organised by people2power.infoExternal link.
But not only online-site participants will be able to join the conversation on the future of European democracy: on May 5 you can watch the live broadcastExternal link from Foresight Centre between 9.50 am to 5.30 pm local time (GMT/UTC +1).
Follow and participate on Twitter with the hashtags #demEU16External link and #citizenpowerExternal link. And you are welcome to share your view on how European could became a better place for active citizens and participatory democracy by sending your comments (not more than 250 words and with a printable picture of you) from now on until Europe Day, May 9. These texts will be published on people2power.infoExternal link.
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