Putting the fun back into politics, Belfast’s unique festival of ideas and politics is running a full day programme of democracy events today (Friday 24 March).
As part of ‘Democracy Day’, with nine different events, the festival has issued an open invitation for the public to imagine new ways of creating a more democratic society.
Designed to stimulate new ideas on culture and politics, the festival features events with leading speakers and activists from organisations such as 50:50 NI; Stratagem; Involve UK; Open Government Network NI; Collaboration for Change; QUB Democracy Unit; and the Open University Northern Ireland.
Speakers include Lee Reynolds. Emma De Souza; Mark Devenport; Quintin Oliver; Anna Mercer; Grainne Walsh; Prof John Garry; Dr Coree Brown; Dr Jamie Pow; Andy McDevitt; Brian Cleland; Jennifer Young; James Hennessy; Rebekah McCabe; Paul Braithwaite; Dr Róise Connolly; Sally Hayden; Stella Nyanzi; Liz McManus; Ammar Al Najjar and Louise O’Kane.
According to Peter O’Neill, founder and festival director:
“The Imagine festival provides a unique opportunity for people to engage with some of the big issues of our time in a fun and dynamic way. As we know democracy is in crisis – not just here but also across the world – so we are keen to look at ways to reinvigorate the role of citizens in government and local decision-making. We particularly want to involve people who are traditionally not involved in political debates. So join us in preparing for a better tomorrow.”
The special Democracy Day programme is looking at aspects of civic activism and features discussions and workshops examining how ordinary people can make a difference, politically and socially, to make the changes they want to see in their lives.
According to Professor John Garry, Queens University Belfast:
“Exploring how democracy works, and imagining how it could work, is crucial for healthy debates about how we are governed. The Democracy Unit research centre at Queen’s University Belfast is keen to engage in these debates about our democratic health and is delighted to support others who wish to contribute. This year’s suite of events at Democracy Day shows the range and vibrancy of democratic thinking – and imagining.”
Events include:
So you want to be a Councillor?
50:50 NI and Stratagem are on a mission to get more women into elected politics. Last year they launched a training programme that aims to give women the skills, knowledge and experience to run for elected office.
Imagining our democratic futures
All around the world, liberal democracies are falling apart. Meanwhile, we consistently receive the message that this is the best we can do, and that the only alternative is autocracy. But democracy is not a single idea – it is a broad and diverse field, variously imagined and practised throughout human history. Our current democratic monoculture is a poor reflection of this diversity.
How not to run a Border Poll: Lessons from GFA 1998, via IndyRef1 and Brexit
The 1998 Good Friday Agreement Referendum is lauded as an exemplar of a post-conflict settlement plebiscite — but was it really?
Meaningful Citizen Engagement in Local Planning
Planning is a crucial function of local democracy and it is important that planning decisions reflect the best interests of current residents and future generations.
Lee Reynolds: Will Democracy Die in the Algorithm?
Will the impacts of social media and the ‘algorithm’ on group identity, societal structures and democratic debate finally destroy the centre on which western democracies have maintained themselves? What is going on and what impact will future developments have?
System Change to create a more democratic economy: Feeling the Fear and Doing It Anyway! With Collaboration for Change and local activists
Participation, Party Support and Political Attitudes in Northern Ireland
This event led by the Democracy Unit at Queen’s University Belfast will examine what ‘mandate’ do the parties have from voters at the Assembly election in May 2022? What did each set of party voters think about the Protocol, a united Ireland, and Northern Ireland’s devolved institutions? Why did some people not vote? How do people express, in their own words, their support for the Union or for Irish unity?
How to be a changemaker
This event will feature a panel of local activists sharing their experience and guidance, to inspire a generation of future changemakers.
Homing in on Human Rights
This event presents Irish journalist Sally Hayden, Ugandan human rights advocate, writer and medical anthropologist Stella Nyanzi in conversation with Liz McManus, with poetry in Arabic and English by Ammar Al Najjar.
CFY
The Democracy Day programme is sponsored by the Democracy Unit at Queen’s University Belfast and takes place in the Crescent Arts Centre and Accidental Theatre on Friday 24 March from 10am to 10pm. More information is available at imaginebelfast.com