We are pleased to announce details of phase one of our Democracy Initiative.
The Democracy Initiative aims to shed new light on the future challenges for tackling the democratic deficit. The Initiative supports a more responsive and vibrant democracy in which power is shared, and that the voices of diverse groups of people are heard.
For meaningful change to be achieved, citizen participation must be increased whilst also strengthening the role of our elected representatives.
The Initiative’s specific objectives are to:
- Increase our understanding of power and influence, and how it impacts on democracy in the UK and Ireland.
- Understand how STEEP factors will shape democracy in the future.
- Increase the ability of citizens and civil society organisations to individually and collectively influence the democratic process.
- Inform a strategy for the work of the Trust’s democracy programme for the next 10 years.
All programme activities will fall under one of four themes:
- Power and Influence
- Future Challenges
- Relationship between representative and participatory democracy
- Young People and politics
Phase One Activities of the Democracy Initiative
In phase one we will:
- Commission a project to map power and influence in the UK and Ireland. It is likely that this work will take an issues-based approach and will support civil society organisations to influence the decision making process.
- Commission a series of think pieces to raise the debate about future challenges to democracy.
- Work with the Power Inquiry to increase citizen participation and engagement.
- Work collaboratively on a European scale with other trusts and foundations to influence policy and improve the delivery of citizenship and democracy education and learning in schools.
- Run a series of seminars and events to engage a diverse group of stakeholders in our work and enable the programme to learn from the experience of others.
Beyond phase one, the programme will focus in greater depth on the practical application of the ideas and solutions generated.
To register your interest or to discuss any aspect of this work further, email raji@carnegieuk.org.