Common grounds #3 DDW Special on Democracy & Citizenship
Democracy is a balancing act between citizens and governmental institutions. Move too far or too fast, and the scales tip suddenly causing individuals and ideals to fall off the board. Move too slow or with too much hesitation, and it might overload and crack. It’s a balancing act and it only works if each of us plays our role right.
Every disappointing interaction with public institutions erodes people's trust in society and the government, and the spaces and interfaces where these interactions happen have a huge impact on that experience.
This is one of the moving insights resulting from the research and experimental interventions by Matthijs Bosman and Tim Outshoorn (Fontys University of Applied Sciences).
Sep Wittenbols (Council member in the municipality of Eindhoven), walks an unusual path, driven by his passion for democracy and participation and by his wish to see the public as citizens and not mere consumers, he engages in public discussions and collaborates closely with the local design community.
The knowledge and transformative potential that communities hold is where Thijs van Spaandonk (member of the College of Governmental Advisors) comes in, he is a fervent advocate of making room for communities to inform and mobilise in all realms of spatial and social developments. But where does that leave us as individuals?
Mert Kumru (European Front Coordinator for World’s Youth for Climate Justice) collaborated on the famous Vanuatu case, which led to the International Court of Justice issuing an advisory opinion on the obligation of states in respect of climate change. He will shed light on the power we as individuals have both through activism, collective action and through fully committing to our values and ideals.
This exchange is facilitated by Marsha Simon (independent moderator and programme maker).
Join this interactive, open dialogue on October 23rd, when we’ll sit down with lawyers, designers, governmental advisors, researchers and elected officials to examine what the relationship between citizens and institutions is, why that matters, and most importantly how we as individuals can play our part best.
Language: English
