Citizen participation is at the heart of democracy. Around the world, a deliberative wave has been growing as innovative ways of involving citizens in policy-making have gained traction with governments and citizens. And Africa has not been left behind: From deliberative participatory budgeting in Kenya, and addressing corruption in Malawi, to risk management in flood [...]
What it takes to organise a successful citizens’ assembly on climate change
Now is the time for parliaments and civil society to join forces to push back against shrinking civic spaces and protect democratic freedoms. In these worrying times, here are 4 things parliaments and their members can do to fight back against shrinking civic space.
Programme Details Working with the parliament in Edo State, WFD has been supporting the adoption and implementation of the Open Government Partnership at a local level. This programme has practiced openness from the start, by inviting local civil society to participate in the development of the state action plan, and being jointly implemented by state [...]
Since the democratic transition in Albania in 1990, the country has gone through many reform processes, but it has not experienced an extensive growth of social (civic) movements. Nevertheless, in recent years social movements arising around new causes are propelling progressive ideas into the public domain. Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) has released a study which assesses the dynamics and potential of the most prominent social (civic) movements in Albania. The study provides an insight into their [...]
There is a disconnect between citizens and the parliament in Indonesia. At least that is what the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and the Indonesian Parliament (DPR RI) found from a public perception survey conducted between July and August 2020. An overwhelming majority of the respondents agreed that public participation is “very important” in supporting [...]
Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) believes in democratic political systems that are fair, inclusive, transparent and accountable. In support of this cause, WFD has been working with the Kenyan Parliament since 2011 and has supported the institution to build its capacity in areas of research, oversight, law-making, and citizen engagement. Currently, WFD Kenya is implementing [...]
The UK Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change and the French Citizens’ Convention on Climate have recently put forward reports and proposals. The fate of citizens’ proposals depends on their translation into legislation.
by Sophia Fernandes, WFD's Inclusion Adviser and Interim Regional Director for Asia As we move from counting ‘weeks’ to ‘months’ of physical distancing measures in the UK and start to see other countries emerge from counter-COVID-19 restrictions, the blurry picture of the long-term consequences of emergency measures and the pandemic at large is starting to [...]
Civil society organisations (CSOs) are a channel through which citizens can engage constructively with government to make sure that adequate services are provided, helping to build more inclusive and accountable democracies. Their role is especially important during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as people’s freedoms are curtailed and usual channels of engagement with government are [...]
