European towns should be supported through participatory democracy when developing and implementing policies. It`s becoming essential to include citizens' voices in the policymaking process.
Sub-national authorities, such as regional governments, municipalities and local councils, play an essential role in representing local interests and implementing policies tailored to a region's specific needs - in order to harness this potential, an inclusive, participatory approach focused on local development is needed.
European towns play a crucial role in organising deliberative and participatory events, which would benefit from EU support and funding. The outcome of those events should be channelled in the EU policymaking, developing links and synergies between the different levels – European, national, regional and local.
OVERVIEW
The International citizen debate "European Towns Facing the Challenges to Participatory Democracy and Intercultural Dialogue" is a residential/blended debate within the INDIMAE Network.
The challenge to current politics is a search for a coherent combination of all dimensions of democracy and, at the same time, an extension of democratic practices up to the international institutions. It is assumed that an intensification of intercultural dialogue and a reinforcement of participatory democracy might contribute to the development of a new European policy of greater inclusiveness, rejecting a distinction between insiders and outsiders, and increasing a sense of belonging. Such a dialogue should constitute a solid basis for the European active citizenship, strengthen empowerment and contribute to the deepening of the European identity.
It is argued that intercultural dialogue may contribute to an intercultural society that brings a new and advanced type of democracy within the growing diversity of the European political, social and cultural space.
International citizen debate
"European Towns Facing the Challenges to Participatory Democracy and Intercultural Dialogue" - 9-11 October 2023, Plovdiv -Simitli, Bulgaria
Debated Topics
The meeting focused on the five main topic areas:
1. Challenges of participatory democracy in European towns
2. Problems of diversity management in multicultural societies in Europe
3. Intercultural dialogue as a diversity management tool
4. Innovative inclusive strategies in European towns - sharing best practices and learning form failures
5. Networking opportunities for future steps on innovative diversity management and strategies for inclusion.
INDIMAE PROJECT
@ 2020 - 2023
This publication has been produced with the support of the Europe for Citizens Program of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the INDIMAE project partnership and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Commission.
Magic Factory Design
Stay Connected