Workshop 3
THE EVOLUTION OF DEMOCRACY: UNDERSTANDING ITS ROOTS AND PROTECTING ITS FUTURE IN A DIGITAL WORLD
We discussed a lot in groups and our opinions often diverged. This made consensus-building challenging, particularly during the final role-play exercise, but enriching. By the end, we had developed three project proposals related to strengthening democracy. One idea I contributed to aimed at increasing transparency and participation in European elections through an online platform where citizens could easily access and compare candidates’ programmes, key positions, and thematic priorities. The goal was to help voters make more informed decisions and reengage citizens, especially those feeling disconnected from European politics or the electoral process.
Workshop facilitators: Benjamin Günther & Maryam Mirza
The workshop was designed as a scientific approach to democracy with interactive role-play exercises, aiming to equip participants to design their own simulation activities and, potentially, conceptualize a follow-up conference. We explored the foundations, characteristics, and historical evolution of democracy through presentations, a site visit in Berlin, a video call with an expert on the Rule of Law as a fundamental democratic principle, and a final role-play activity during which we discussed our “ideal society” and system of governance. Topics included the relationship between democracy and education (citizenship education more precisely), the importance and impact of commem- orations, and current democratic challenges in our own countries, with a particular focus on the US and Europe. We also debated the role of media in shaping public opinion and the importance of digital resilience. I chose this workshop as I’ve always been curious about how democracy works in practice, especially because I’ve lived and studied in countries with very different polit- ical systems, from France and Canada to Mongolia and Albania. Experiencing these differences firsthand made me want to better understand how democratic values are built, protected, and sometimes challenged. I’d also taken part in previous projects on peace and democ- racy, but what drew me in this project was the diversity of the participants: people with very different experiences of democracy, or even the lack of it. I was most interested in a more reflection-based workshop over an artistic one because I expected this workshop to provide me not only theoretical insights and reading mate- rials, but also a creative environment with innovative and realistic potential outputs resulting from this project.
The diversity of participants, both in terms of country of origin and civic engagement, was a key personal highlight.
I also appreciated the project’s flexible structure, which encouraged participant-driven initiatives. If a group wanted to develop a creative idea or organize an activity, there was enough freedom and support to make it happen. In that sense, the experience was truly shaped by what we, as participants, chose to create and contribute to.
Author: Loli Chibko, France
Link to Website
Youth4Peace 26
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