The democracy sector has over 700 organisations, but we are fragmented. Few people are aware of the range of events, projects, research or funding. Better connections and coordination could make a different, so check this out:
The Democracy Handbook is a bold, bottom-up initiative to connect people and create a crowdsourced resource to build better democracy in the UK: start here to learn more about events, funding, jobs, news and more in the ‘democracy sector’. Add your organisation, campaign or project to the UK Democracy Map
Join the weekly Democracy Meetup every Thursday at 2pm for 30-minutes: sign up for email reminders and add to your calendar at democracymeetup.org.uk/event . These are short silent information sharing/networking sessions, followed by an opportunity to start or join a breakout discussion. Read past sessions here.
Subscribe to the mailing list: democracymeetup.org.uk/discussion-list
Add your update to the Meetup document, then drop in at 2pm on Thursday.
Following the Trump presidency I wrote a “Mission for Democracy” to suggest civil society and higher education should develop a concerted effort to strengthen democracy at all levels, drawing lessons from Mariana Mazzucato’s Mission Economy and Pippa Norris’s model of democratic deficits.
We underestimate the fragility of democracy: Superrich individuals increase their ability to buy influence, authoritarian regimes like China appear to succeed while democracies are flailing. Covid, climate and other crises demand urgent action. A competent authoritarian could be elected in any G7 state. Civil society could be contained while academics analyse the decline of democracy and are sidelined or switch allegiance to whatever orthodoxy takes over.
But civil society and higher education could work together to support citizens learning to take effective action to solve problems and create a more inclusive, sustainable society.
What do you think?
At the top of the democracy sector, the Alliance of Democracies is bringing together executives, political leaders and activists to discuss the future of democracy, US leadership, post-COVID recovery, technology and democratic trust. Speakers include Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Hong Kong activist Nathan Law, Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, among others. Marlène Schiappa, French Minister Delegate for Citizenship, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Sara Omar, Danish-Kurdish author and human rights activist, and Flemming Rose, Danish author and Fellow at the CATO institute, will discuss freedom of expression discussion. Tuesday, May 11th will discuss election integrity, disinformation and social media regulation with the International Grand Committee on Disinformation and Data Privacy (IGCD), policymakers and Transatlantic Commission on Election Integrity.
Register your interest here. For questions, contact info@allianceofdemocracies.org
Hope for democracy comes from many grassroots education projects like the Ella Baker School of Organising: check their website for weekly events on topics such as lessons from the Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963 (17 April), which led to the UK’s first Race Relations Act, Organising (21/4), Economic Literacy with Economy (26/4), Black Lives Matter (28/4), and many more.
A rolling programme of 4 modules to develop campaigning know-how:
1. Introduction to campaigning and social change
2. Analysing the problem and planning for change
3. Communicating for change
4. Evaluation and measuring impact
£900 for small charities (under £500,000) or £1,200 for other organisations. Book here or email emma.burnell@smk.org.uk for 22 April 2021 or 7 Sept 2021 start Form more details and to book here
Stay in touch – let me know about initiatives for people to learn how to have a more effective voice at any level, from local to global – or take part in the Democracy Meetup to share notes and collaborate across the sector.
Let me know if you would rather not get this newsletter.
Thanks for everything you do for education and support for democracy.
Best wishes,