Western Balkans in the spotlight during key events in Trieste and Sarajevo

The Western Balkans Summit 2017 took place on 12 July in Trieste, Italy, gathering Heads of Government of the Western Balkans and their counterparts from 6 EU Member States, together with high representatives of the European Commission. One of the key topics of this year’s summit is regional cooperation and youth.

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Youth forum on the topic of “Connecting Youth – Moving Forward” as well as Civil Society Forum Trieste were organized in the margins of the summit. The same week, another important event for the region took place in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – the 6th Western Balkans Civil Society Forum, organized by the European Economic and Social Committee – EESC. Representatives of ALDA and the LDAs were present at the summit, including the youth forum in Trieste and the civil society forums in Sarajevo and Trieste.
The three events produced important outputs for the topics concerning the Western Balkan countries, including recommendations for the Governments of these countries produced during the Youth Forum in Trieste and a Declaration with recommendations created during the Civil Society forum in Sarajevo. The Western Balkan Summit in Trieste also saw the presentation of policy recommendations to the decision makers which were prepared earlier this year.
ALDA and the LDAs are taking into consideration the recommendations for EU integration of the Balkans into their work. The Balkan Regional Platform for Youth Participation and Dialogue, coordinated by 7 LDAs and ALDA has produced a study on the topic of youth mobility and youth participation, which were some of the key topics of the events in Trieste and Sarajevo. Furthermore, ALDA has recently organized Summer university in Skopje on topic “Remembrance and Intercultural Dialogue” in liason with the priorities of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office – RYCO, which was created during the last year’s Western Balkans Summit. These are several of the main activities ALDA and the LDAs are implementing in order to promote EU integration, regional cooperation and youth development in the Balkans.

The Western Balkans Summit 2017 took place on 12 July in Trieste, Italy, gathering Heads of Government of the Western Balkans and their counterparts from 6 EU Member States, together with high representatives of the European Commission. One of the key topics of this year’s summit is regional cooperation and youth.

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Youth forum on the topic of “Connecting Youth – Moving Forward” as well as Civil Society Forum Trieste were organized in the margins of the summit. The same week, another important event for the region took place in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – the 6th Western Balkans Civil Society Forum, organized by the European Economic and Social Committee – EESC. Representatives of ALDA and the LDAs were present at the summit, including the youth forum in Trieste and the civil society forums in Sarajevo and Trieste.
The three events produced important outputs for the topics concerning the Western Balkan countries, including recommendations for the Governments of these countries produced during the Youth Forum in Trieste and a Declaration with recommendations created during the Civil Society forum in Sarajevo. The Western Balkan Summit in Trieste also saw the presentation of policy recommendations to the decision makers which were prepared earlier this year.
ALDA and the LDAs are taking into consideration the recommendations for EU integration of the Balkans into their work. The Balkan Regional Platform for Youth Participation and Dialogue, coordinated by 7 LDAs and ALDA has produced a study on the topic of youth mobility and youth participation, which were some of the key topics of the events in Trieste and Sarajevo. Furthermore, ALDA has recently organized Summer university in Skopje on topic “Remembrance and Intercultural Dialogue” in liason with the priorities of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office – RYCO, which was created during the last year’s Western Balkans Summit. These are several of the main activities ALDA and the LDAs are implementing in order to promote EU integration, regional cooperation and youth development in the Balkans.


The implementation of civic initiatives at the local level: the experience of Belarus

This year is particularly significant for ALDA, marking 10 years of activities in Belarus. On this occasion, the successful cases of the 10-year cooperation between ALDA and the local organization Lev Sapieha Foundation have been collected in a publication.
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The publication has been presented on the occasion of the last days of activities of the EU-funded project TANDEM III – Cooperation for citizen participation and community development in Belarus – jointly implemented by ALDA and Lev Sapieha Foundation, and completed on 30 June 2017. This project was very fruitful and its completion marked a very important step in the cooperation between ALDA and NGO Lev Sapieha Foundation in Belarus.
The publication provides an overview on the results of the joint project activities carried out over the last 10 years by ALDA and the Lev Sapieha Foundation in the framework of their cooperation in the field of local self-government and civic participation at the local level in the Republic of Belarus.
It includes examples of best practices of citizens’ participation in addressing local issues and citizens’ interaction with local authorities, and describes the issues of motivation and cooperation at the local level among various groups of society and ways of development of public dialogue in Belarus.
Numerous are the other joint activities and projects implemented by ALDA and Lev Sapieha Foundation in Belarus, whose stories and best practices are also collected in the book. Among them: REACT, ACSOBE, TANDEM I, TANDEM II, SPREAD, and SPREAD II.
With a varied public audience and a wide range of readers – among others, activists of public associations and civic initiatives, deputies of local councils and civil servants of local government, teachers of public disciplines and students, the publication is also addressed to all those who are interested in problems of local government and civic participation at the local level.

This year is particularly significant for ALDA, marking 10 years of activities in Belarus. On this occasion, the successful cases of the 10-year cooperation between ALDA and the local organization Lev Sapieha Foundation have been collected in a publication.
***
The publication has been presented on the occasion of the last days of activities of the EU-funded project TANDEM III – Cooperation for citizen participation and community development in Belarus – jointly implemented by ALDA and Lev Sapieha Foundation, and completed on 30 June 2017. This project was very fruitful and its completion marked a very important step in the cooperation between ALDA and NGO Lev Sapieha Foundation in Belarus.
The publication provides an overview on the results of the joint project activities carried out over the last 10 years by ALDA and the Lev Sapieha Foundation in the framework of their cooperation in the field of local self-government and civic participation at the local level in the Republic of Belarus.
It includes examples of best practices of citizens’ participation in addressing local issues and citizens’ interaction with local authorities, and describes the issues of motivation and cooperation at the local level among various groups of society and ways of development of public dialogue in Belarus.
Numerous are the other joint activities and projects implemented by ALDA and Lev Sapieha Foundation in Belarus, whose stories and best practices are also collected in the book. Among them: REACT, ACSOBE, TANDEM I, TANDEM II, SPREAD, and SPREAD II.
With a varied public audience and a wide range of readers – among others, activists of public associations and civic initiatives, deputies of local councils and civil servants of local government, teachers of public disciplines and students, the publication is also addressed to all those who are interested in problems of local government and civic participation at the local level.


Civil Service opportunities with ALDA for young people in Brussels, Strasbourg and Skopje

ALDA has been accredited as a hosting organization for Civil Service projects abroad from the Italian Employment Service of the Civil Service, as a partner of the Municipality of Cremona (Italy).
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Thanks to the commitment of the Municipality of Cremona, starting from mid-2018, 4 young volunteers will have the opportunity to join an important training and working experience lasting 1 year in ALDA’s departments, based in Brussels (Belgium), Strasbourg (France) and Skopje (Macedonia).
The Civil Service experience at ALDA is a voluntary commitment, over a period of 12 months, to support good governance, citizen participation at the local level and to tackle international development challenges.
This programme is open to all young people with Italian nationality or resident in Italy. Call and selection of the 4 volunteers will be held next year, following the approval of ALDA’s hosting projects.
Useful links:
SCN all’estero” website

ALDA has been accredited as a hosting organization for Civil Service projects abroad from the Italian Employment Service of the Civil Service, as a partner of the Municipality of Cremona (Italy).
***
Thanks to the commitment of the Municipality of Cremona, starting from mid-2018, 4 young volunteers will have the opportunity to join an important training and working experience lasting 1 year in ALDA’s departments, based in Brussels (Belgium), Strasbourg (France) and Skopje (Macedonia).
The Civil Service experience at ALDA is a voluntary commitment, over a period of 12 months, to support good governance, citizen participation at the local level and to tackle international development challenges.
This programme is open to all young people with Italian nationality or resident in Italy. Call and selection of the 4 volunteers will be held next year, following the approval of ALDA’s hosting projects.
Useful link:
SCN all’estero” website


ALDA’s commitment for Libya: the statement of our Vice-President Alessandro Perelli

“Libya needs Europe, Europe needs Libya”: with these words Alessandro Perelli, Vice-President of ALDA, commented the “Nicosia Initiative”, a 3-day event that took place in Trieste (Italy) from 15th June 2017, promoted by the Committee of the Regions.
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The event brought together a delegation of mayors and local authorities from Libya and the Regional Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, represented by its President Franco Iacop, organiser of the initiative.
“On these days – stated Perelli – important contacts at the international level are ongoing, with the main aim to find a peaceful solution between Serraj Government and the Commander of the Army Haftar; French and Italian diplomacies are strongly involved in this direction. ALDA, for a long time now active in the promotion of the European values in the Mediterranean area of Africa through the opening of a new LDA in Tunisia, is following with high attention the development of events in Libya, ready to give its contribution to the gradual approach of the country to Europe; Libya, in fact, is connected by traditions and economic, social and cultural relations to the European continent”.
Libyan local authorities participating in the Trieste meeting last month, first of all, the Mayors of Tripoli and Tobruk, showed their will to work together not only in the fishing sector but also in other fields, such as governance and health care; furthermore they expressed their commitment to improve cooperation and to adjust their regulations to the European ones.
“The restoration of security conditions in the Libyan state, affected by conflicts and civil wars, will be fundamental to strengthen the actions of our association in the next months”, concluded Perelli.

“Libya needs Europe, Europe needs Libya”: with these words Alessandro Perelli, Vice-President of ALDA, commented the “Nicosia Initiative”, a 3-day event that took place in Trieste (Italy) from 15th June 2017, promoted by the Committee of the Regions.
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The event brought together a delegation of mayors and local authorities from Libya and the Regional Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, represented by its President Franco Iacop, organizer of the initiative.
“On these days – stated Perelli – important contacts at the international level are ongoing, with the main aim to find a peaceful solution between Serraj Government and the Commander of the Army Haftar; French and Italian diplomacies are strongly involved in this direction. ALDA, for a long time now active in the promotion of the European values in the Mediterranean area of Africa through the opening of a new LDA in Tunisia, is following with high attention the development of events in Libya, ready to give its contribution to the gradual approach of the country to Europe; Libya, in fact, is connected by traditions and economic, social and cultural relations to the European continent”.
Libyan local authorities participating in the Trieste meeting last month, first of all, the Mayors of Tripoli and Tobruk, showed their will to work together not only in the fishing sector but also in other fields, such as governance and health care; furthermore, they expressed their commitment to improve cooperation and to adjust their regulations to the European ones.
“The restoration of security conditions in the Libyan state, affected by conflicts and civil wars, will be fundamental to strengthen the actions of our association in the next months”, concluded Perelli.


Mariupol - Paving the way to future LDA

A collection of the most significant moments from the preparatory mission in view of the opening of the Local Democracy Agency in Mariupol (Ukraine), in July 2017.


Realization of Civil Initiatives at Local Level - The Belarus experience

Publication Realization of Civil Initiatives at Local Level – The Belarus experience

Publication [RUS]

Publication Realization of Civil Initiatives at Local Level – The Belarus experience

Publication [RUS]

Representative of LDA Montenegro in Working group for creation of Local Action Plan for youth of Niksic Municipality

The working group for draft of the Local Action Plan for youth 2018 – 2022 of Municipality of Niksic started with work.

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The first meeting of this working group was held on July 12, 2017 and gathered representatives several civil society organizations, as well as representatives of local authorities: the Employment Agency of Montenegro, the Center for Social Work Niksic and the Niksic Police department.
In front of the Local Democracy Agency Montenegro, Snezana Milacic, Youth Program Coordinator, participates in this working group.
This meeting represents the first step in the realization of the drafting of this important document for the development of youth policy, as well as a significant incentive for strengthening and educating young people in many areas of society.
The planned completion time for the creation of the new Action plan is the end of the current year.
Creation of the Local Action Plan for Youth is coordinated by the Youth Club Niksic in cooperation with the Municipality of Niksic, with the financial support of the Ministry of Sport of Montenegro.

The working group for a draft of the Local Action Plan for youth 2018 – 2022 of Municipality of Niksic started with work.

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The first meeting of this working group was held on July 12, 2017 and gathered representatives several civil society organizations, as well as representatives of local authorities: the Employment Agency of Montenegro, the Center for Social Work Niksic and the Niksic Police department.
In front of the Local Democracy Agency Montenegro, Snezana Milacic, Youth Program Coordinator, participates in this working group.
This meeting represents the first step in the realization of the drafting of this important document for the development of youth policy, as well as a significant incentive for strengthening and educating young people in many areas of society.
The planned completion time for the creation of the new Action plan is the end of the current year.
Creation of the Local Action Plan for Youth is coordinated by the Youth Club Niksic in cooperation with the Municipality of Niksic, with the financial support of the Ministry of Sport of Montenegro.

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Soon the 1st International Forum of Creative Mobilities: save the date!

ALDA is partnering with Creative Mobilities in its 1st International Forum. The event, co-organised with Territoires Associés, Syndicat Mixte des Transport en Commun (SMTC) and Terra21, will take place in Grenoble (France) on 29 September 2017.

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The Forum will focus on the human dimension of urban mobility, including the potential synergies between mobility, creativity, culture(s) and sustainable development in cities and human settlements. Visits and activities will be organised the day before and after the Forum, while a charter of principles for Creative Mobilities and a call for experimentations will be launched during the Forum.

Based on more than 80 existing practices identified worldwide, elected officials, cultural actors, mobility operators, academics, urban planners and other partners will be invited to exchange and analyse challenges, promote innovation and search for new solutions, addressing issues as:
• the role of mobility as a driver of socialisation and social change through arts and culture;
• the role of cultural actors in raising awareness about sustainable mobility;
• innovation in research and development for mobility actors, enterprises and other institutions through collaborations with creative sectors;
• public space and public transport as tools to promote diversity, innovative art forms, cultural participation, inclusion, intercultural dialogue and active citizenship;
• the influence of cultural aspects in mobility practices and climate change;
• new narratives for and with local communities, citizens’ health and well-being, societies in transition, the digital revolution and fight against inequalities;
• multi-stakeholders’ partnerships.
An informal work-meeting about the potential joint venture with the organisers will be also possible for ALDA members and partners interested in the addressed themes on 30 September 2017.
For more information, please contact the following e-mail address: creativemobilities@territoires-associes.org.
Furthermore, you can send your own good practices examples, which will be included in the international review that is going to be produced for the event.
This Forum is the place to exchange practices, learn more, and to better analyse and implement policies in this field.
Useful links:

ALDA is partnering with Creative Mobilities in its 1st International Forum. The event, co-organised with Territoires Associés, Syndicat Mixte des Transport en Commun (SMTC) and Terra21, will take place in Grenoble (France) on 29 September 2017.

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The Forum will focus on the human dimension of urban mobility, including the potential synergies between mobility, creativity, culture(s) and sustainable development in cities and human settlements. Visits and activities will be organised the day before and after the Forum, while a charter of principles for Creative Mobilities and a call for experimentations will be launched during the Forum.

Based on more than 80 existing practices identified worldwide, elected officials, cultural actors, mobility operators, academics, urban planners and other partners will be invited to exchange and analyse challenges, promote innovation and search for new solutions, addressing issues as:
• the role of mobility as a driver of socialisation and social change through arts and culture;
• the role of cultural actors in raising awareness about sustainable mobility;
• innovation in research and development for mobility actors, enterprises and other institutions through collaborations with creative sectors;
• public space and public transport as tools to promote diversity, innovative art forms, cultural participation, inclusion, intercultural dialogue and active citizenship;
• the influence of cultural aspects in mobility practices and climate change;
• new narratives for and with local communities, citizens’ health and well-being, societies in transition, the digital revolution and fight against inequalities;
• multi-stakeholders’ partnerships.
An informal work-meeting about the potential joint venture with the organisers will be also possible for ALDA members and partners interested in the addressed themes on 30 September 2017.
For more information, please contact the following e-mail address: creativemobilities@territoires-associes.org.
Furthermore, you can send your own good practices examples, which will be included in the international review that is going to be produced for the event.
This Forum is the place to exchange practices, learn more, and to better analyse and implement policies in this field.
Useful links:


ALDA supports the steps forward for the European Solidarity Corps

On 18 July, ALDA brought in its contribution into the public hearing on the European Solidarity Corps and Youth Initiatives organised by the European Economic and Social Committee.

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The aim of the event was to discuss with representatives of civil society, policy makers, private and public institutions how to ensure high quality standards for the European Solidarity Corps and a Youth Initiative able to respond to today’s societal challenges.

The debate, moderated by Mr Pavel Trantina, rapporteur of the Study Group SOC/566 on Youth initiative/ Consolidation of the European Solidarity Corps has highlighted a number of still existing concerns in regards to the programme.

The first concern raised was about the definition of volunteering and solidarity actions which is rather vague or restrictive. This, consequently leads to a lack of distinction between volunteering and occupational placements which might trigger the quality of the service.

Other quality related questions were in relation to the quality of the placement along with the qualifications of the volunteers/trainees particularly in special fields such as education or health care. Not less important is the outreach and information of young people about the programme and particularly inclusion of people with fewer opportunities.

The participants at the debate stressed the strong need to involve youth organisations and young people in the co-management of the programme, during the design, implementation and evaluation of the programme. This is of particular importance when talking about pre-placement, along the placement and upon return support provided by sending organisation, the online platform having limited opportunities to ensure the quality of the placements in this sense.

The legislative proposal at the moment foresees a central role of the National Agencies in the management and implementation of the programme while civil society questions the accessibility, administrative burdens and National Agencies’ capacity to support alone the implementation of the ESC at the local level.

Last, but not least, the strongest concern since the very beginning of ESC idea is in relation to the impact of the ESC on Erasmus+, particularly the reallocation and shrinking budget of the already existing youth dedicate programmes and annual budget adjustment.

Mr Robert Franče, Head of Sector, Erasmus+: Youth from the European Commission stressed that the need to maintain the quality level while not creating something elitist and follow the inclusiveness principle. Moreover, he pointed out that compared to other legislative proposals, the ESC for the regulation is very brief and the concept note provides more detailed information about the formats of the initiatives.

The EESC will continue the public consultations with civil society organisations throughout the next months to produce a final opinion at the end of October. ALDA is following closely the evolution of the ESC pleading for a programme that will bring added value and strengthen the solidarity at the local level.

Useful links:

On 18 July, ALDA brought in its contribution into the public hearing on the European Solidarity Corps and Youth Initiatives organised by the European Economic and Social Committee.

***

The aim of the event was to discuss with representatives of civil society, policy makers, private and public institutions how to ensure high quality standards for the European Solidarity Corps and a Youth Initiative able to respond to today’s societal challenges.

The debate, moderated by Mr Pavel Trantina, rapporteur of the Study Group SOC/566 on Youth initiative/ Consolidation of the European Solidarity Corps has highlighted a number of still existing concerns in regards to the programme.

The first concern raised was about the definition of volunteering and solidarity actions which is rather vague or restrictive. This, consequently leads to a lack of distinction between volunteering and occupational placements which might trigger the quality of the service.

Other quality related questions were in relation to the quality of the placement along with the qualifications of the volunteers/trainees particularly in special fields such as education or health care. Not less important is the outreach and information of young people about the programme and particularly inclusion of people with fewer opportunities.

The participants at the debate stressed the strong need to involve youth organisations and young people in the co-management of the programme, during the design, implementation and evaluation of the programme. This is of particular importance when talking about pre-placement, along the placement and upon return support provided by sending organisation, the online platform having limited opportunities to ensure the quality of the placements in this sense.

The legislative proposal at the moment foresees a central role of the National Agencies in the management and implementation of the programme while civil society questions the accessibility, administrative burdens and National Agencies’ capacity to support alone the implementation of the ESC at the local level.

Last, but not least, the strongest concern since the very beginning of ESC idea is in relation to the impact of the ESC on Erasmus+, particularly the reallocation and shrinking budget of the already existing youth dedicate programmes and annual budget adjustment.

Mr Robert Franče, Head of Sector, Erasmus+: Youth from the European Commission stressed that the need to maintain the quality level while not creating something elitist and follow the inclusiveness principle. Moreover, he pointed out that compared to other legislative proposals, the ESC for the regulation is very brief and the concept note provides more detailed information about the formats of the initiatives.

The EESC will continue the public consultations with civil society organisations throughout the next months to produce a final opinion at the end of October. ALDA is following closely the evolution of the ESC pleading for a programme that will bring added value and strengthen the solidarity at the local level.

Useful links:


ALDA continues to deepen its transatlantic cooperation with Kettering Foundation

ALDA joined the Deliberative Democracy Institute exchange at Kettering Foundation in Dayton (USA) on 10-14 July.

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The Kettering Foundation is a private, non-profit, non-governmental organisation, which was founded in 1927 in order to “sponsor and carry out scientific research for benefit of Humanity”. In the early 70’s, the Kettering Foundation reorganised itself as a private operating foundation. Working with external collaborators and researchers, the foundation began to focus on basic political research, striving to understand how citizens and political systems can work together. Foundation’s primary research question today is: “what does it take to make democracy work as it should?”

The Eastern Partnership Coordinator and Project Manager of ALDA, Nino Tvaltvadze, and the Director of Local Democracy Agency of Armenia, Lusine Aleksandrian, participated in the Deliberative Democracy Institute exchange, which brings together scholars, journalists, community leaders and civil society practitioners who use a range of strategies designed to improve civil society by encouraging citizen participation and advancing knowledge of democratic practices. During the DDI exchange, participants explored the conditions under which citizens assume responsibility for changing their communities and consider the ways that deliberative approaches may provide a possible model for decision making.

This year, the event brought together about 150 participants from all over the world. ALDA’s delegation was also joined by the representatives of Istituto Scientifico Biomedico Euro Mediterraneo, Federica Marangio and Alessia Rochira from the University of Salento, and Marco Gregorio Marinaci from the Education Department of Education and Science. The participants of DDI are people who have a wide range of interests and the same desire: to understand and develop ways for ordinary people to have a greater role in shaping their own future.In this edition, all participants explored interesting cases from India, Fiji, Argentina and other countries. Gathered in the regional groups throughout the world, they had named and framed issued representing the most common concerns of the society. The members of the regional group Europe worked together on such issues like polarisation, migration crises, as well as the lack of participatory democracy.

After this interesting and positive experience, the participants start to contextualise their own experiences in the lens of deliberative politics. ALDA is very proud to be part of this process and share the common concerns of other people in the world about civic participation, participatory democracy and empowerment of communities.

We would like to thank the Kettering Foundation for the active cooperation and inspiring events, where the feeling is that we are not alone in the struggle to make people’s lives better.

Useful links:

Kettering Foundation website

ALDA joined the Deliberative Democracy Institute exchange at Kettering Foundation in Dayton (USA) on 10-14 July.

***
The Kettering Foundation is a private, non-profit, non-governmental organisation, which was founded in 1927 in order to “sponsor and carry out scientific research for benefit of Humanity”. In the early 70’s, the Kettering Foundation reorganised itself as a private operating foundation. Working with external collaborators and researchers, the foundation began to focus on basic political research, striving to understand how citizens and political systems can work together. Foundation’s primary research question today is: “what does it take to make democracy work as it should?”

The Eastern Partnership Coordinator and Project Manager of ALDA, Nino Tvaltvadze, and the Director of Local Democracy Agency of Armenia, Lusine Aleksandrian, participated in the Deliberative Democracy Institute exchange, which brings together scholars, journalists, community leaders and civil society practitioners who use a range of strategies designed to improve civil society by encouraging citizen participation and advancing knowledge of democratic practices. During the DDI exchange, participants explored the conditions under which citizens assume responsibility for changing their communities and consider the ways that deliberative approaches may provide a possible model for decision making.

This year, the event brought together about 150 participants from all over the world. ALDA’s delegation was also joined by the representatives of Istituto Scientifico Biomedico Euro Mediterraneo, Federica Marangio and Alessia Rochira from the University of Salento, and Marco Gregorio Marinaci from the Education Department of Education and Science. The participants of DDI are people who have a wide range of interests and the same desire: to understand and develop ways for ordinary people to have a greater role in shaping their own future.In this edition, all participants explored interesting cases from India, Fiji, Argentina and other countries. Gathered in the regional groups throughout the world, they had named and framed issued representing the most common concerns of the society. The members of the regional group Europe worked together on such issues like polarisation, migration crises, as well as the lack of participatory democracy.

After this interesting and positive experience, the participants start to contextualise their own experiences in the lens of deliberative politics. ALDA is very proud to be part of this process and share the common concerns of other people in the world about civic participation, participatory democracy and empowerment of communities.

We would like to thank the Kettering Foundation for the active cooperation and inspiring events, where the feeling is that we are not alone in the struggle to make people’s lives better.

Useful links:

Kettering Foundation website