Institutionalization
In this frontier we aim to expand and develop a global understanding of institutional implementations of deliberative democracy in the Global South. To this end, we will work with practitioners, researchers and governments to document, produce new knowledge and support data-gather through practical trials and implementations in the Global South.
Living guidebook
This committee is developing the conceptual components of the living guidebook, including the main questions to be addressed in the text. These questions will serve as the basis of the workshops. Several experts have commented on the conceptual components of the living guidebook and are currently supporting its development. Among these experts is Terrill Bouricius, the author of articles such as "Democracy Through Multi-Body Sortition: Athenian Lessons for the Modern Day".
Table of contents of our living guidebook
1. Introduction
2. Theory of problems:
what to change?
3. Theory of solutions:
what to change to?
● Introduction.
● Preparation stage.
● Design Stage.
● Resources.
4. Theory of change:
how to cause the change?
5. Theory of collaboration:
How to cause the change better through collaboration?
Activities
a. Workshop
The workshops in this frontier will inform each part of the living guidebook. Therefore, several questions have been identified to guide our conversations during the workshops. These questions are:
-
What needs to be changed? Which core problems of democracy can be solved by institutionalizing public deliberation? Which cannot?
-
What are possible models for institutionalization that could fit different circumstances? How to choose, combine, and adapt different models, and design new ones?
-
What are the requirements for successful implementation? What are the most important obstacles, and assets? What strategies could use the assets to overcome the obstacles?
-
How can international collaboration make a critical difference in the success of local and national projects?
b. New tools
We are currently developing tools to support processes of institutionalization, with a view to foster more lasting and effective deliberative democracy in the Global South. Soon you will be able to review these tools that will be available for you to incorporate in your own projects.
c. Support to other projects
We are currently supporting two institutionalization processes in Colombia. On one hand, we are collaborating so that the Itinerant Citizen Assembly in Bogotá has greater impact and visibility. On the other hand, we are identifying ways in which deliberative democracy and mini-publics can contribute to the work of the Constitutional Court. We will share these projects in more detail.
If you know of a project that you think we can support from our work or would like to share your experience because you consider your project to be a good practice of institutionalization of deliberative democracy, please contact us.
d. Webinars
We will be holding a series of webinars in which experts from around the world will participate and reflect on this frontier. Stay tuned for further information on webinars.
Blog
Here you will find the latest developments about this frontier including new experiences, relevant news and academic publications that are in sync with the work of our project.