Expert discussion: Being heard – strengthening the right to petition, revitalising democracy

Political engagement is the lifeblood of democracy. Petitions are a tool for putting this engagement into practice and breathing life into democracy.

The German Bundestag passed the last comprehensive reform of the right to petition in 2005. That was more than two decades ago. At that time, the instrument of public petitions was introduced: if a petition reaches a certain quorum of supporters, it is discussed in a public sitting of the Petitions Committee together with the petitioner. In this way, petitions became an attractive, publicly effective instrument for helping to shape the political process.

Particularly at a time of growing distance between politics and the public, new impetus is needed for a modern, citizen-focused Petitions Committee that makes greater use of and incorporates the contributions of active citizens.

In an expert discussion, the Bündnis 90/Die Grünen parliamentary group in the Bundestag intends to debate how the Petitions Committee can be further developed into a forum where people’s voices are heard, and how the participation of as many people as possible in the political process can be facilitated. Discussions will take place with experts, civil society organisations, petitioners and the interested public on how to realise the potential of the Petitions Committee as a forum for participation and democratic engagement. The aim is to draw up concrete proposals for reform to strengthen and further develop the right to petition.

Programme

Welcome

Dr Konstantin v. Notz, Member of the Bundestag
Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Group
Alliance 90/The Greens Bundestag Parliamentary Group

Corinna Rüffer, Member of the Bundestag
Chair of the Petitions Committee
Alliance 90/The Greens parliamentary group

2.00 pm

Keynote

Marina Weisband
Participatory education specialist

2.20 pm

Panel: The Petitions Committee as a forum for participation and democratic engagement

Oliver Wiedmann
Mehr Demokratie e.V., Head of the Berlin Federal Office

Marina Weisband
Participatory education specialist

Julia Elwing
Petitioner

Corinna Rüffer, Member of the Bundestag

Moderator: Ricarda Lang, Member of the Bundestag
Member of the Petitions Committee

14:35

Workshops: Developing and discussing reform proposals

1. Linking petitions and citizens’ assemblies, and making the petitions process more citizen-friendly and accessible
   Input: Oliver Wiedmann
   Mehr Demokratie e.V.
   Chair: Swantje Michaelsen, Member of the Bundestag
   Member of the Petitions Committee
    
2. Strengthening public petitions and integrating them with private platforms
   Input: Jana Uffenkamp and Jörg Mitzlaff
   openPetition
   Chair: Tina Winklmann, Member of the Bundestag
   Member of the Petitions Committee

15:15

Presentation of the results from the forums

Moderator: Corinna Rüffer, Member of the Bundestag

4.05 pm

End of the event

The event will take place both in person and online via video conference. If you are participating digitally, the moderator will inform you during the event how you can ask questions and get involved.

Register now!