How deliberative and participatory processes strengthen democracy
The panel discussion “How deliberative and participatory processes strengthen democracy and what we can learn from Ukraine” examines how citizens’ assemblies – a democratic innovation involving randomly selected participants and deliberative processes – can support democracy.
Using the recent Citizens’ Assembly in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, on sustainable urban mobility as an example, the session demonstrates how residents can meaningfully shape local decisions through learning and critical discussions in small groups, even when elections are suspended due to the war and under martial law. These experiences suggest that deliberation and broad participation can strengthen trust, consensus-building and the legitimacy of Ukraine’s reconstruction as well as the EU accession process. At the same time, the Ukrainian experience offers insights into how democracies as a whole can be reshaped.
Panelists:
Oleksandra Keudel, political scientist and lecturer at the Kyiv School of Economics. As Director of the Centre for Democratic Resilience, she leads the Horizon Europe project BRIDGE at the KSE, which facilitated the Citizens’ Assembly in Zhytomyr.
Kerstin Lücker, Head of the Technology and Participation Division at the Technical University of Berlin. As a Slavicist, she brings extensive international expertise on citizens’ assemblies and supported the Citizens’ Assembly in Zhytomyr as part of the Horizon Europe project BRIDGE.
Gordian Haas, Senior Expert at the Robert Bosch Stiftung on the topic of democracy, with a focus on citizen participation. As a lecturer, through his previous work in the field of deliberative democracy formats, and as an expert for the European Commission, he brings a wide range of perspectives to the table.
Rupert Graf Strachwitz, board member and Senior Strategic Advisor at the Maecenata Stiftung. He is also a freelance academic writer and consultant in the field of foundations, bringing with him many years of experience and expertise in the area of civil society.
The discussion will be moderated by Ansgar Gessner, Managing Director of the Maecenata Stiftung.
The event will be held in German. It can also be followed via the Zoom video conferencing platform.
If you have any questions, please contact: kommunikation@maecenata.eu
Please register in advance. If attending digitally, you will receive the access details the day before the event.
An event organised by the Maecenata Stiftung as part of Berlin Foundation Week.