From the 26th to the 29th of September, the 2018 edition of the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy will take place in Rome (in the Palazzo Senatorio, on the Piazza del Campidoglio). This international event that aims to develop and promote the active participation of citizens in national and local policies, in particular through the promotion of instruments of direct democracy.
Over 350 delegates from six continents are expected, including mayors of various European and world capitals but also academics and experts who will take part in the work. Among the objectives, that of defining the characteristics that make a global and democratic city, to be incorporated into a “magna charta” for the “cities of democracy” of the world.
Four days of workshops and plenary sessions will be an opportunity to share experiences and best practices among all those interested in modern direct democracy and active citizenship. Legislators, including those involved in issues of constitutional importance, journalists, scholars, representatives of national and international non-governmental organizations and citizens will have the opportunity to discuss in-depth on multiple issues and to propose innovative strategies in step with the political-social challenges of the last years.
On Friday 28th of September (starting at 2.30 pm) the workshop “Citizens Lobbying: Professional lobbyists often get what they want. How can citizens match them by using digital and participatory tools?” looks at specific cases and strategic through which citizens use direct and participatory democracy for leverage and specific governmental outcomes.