19 November 2015 - 14.00-15.30 - Room 10, Palais de l'Europe, Interpretation: FR/EN - Sponsored by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

 

The best defense of a democratic society against threats is an educated citizenry, a sense of shared humanistic values, and a high level of trust between individuals and in public institutions. It should strive to build a culture of living together in diversity and a shared vision about the future. But can learning of democratic culture be measured? Should we rethink it and if so, how?

Initiative 1

Dream Thailand, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Thailand

'Dream Thailand' is a campaign- based platform for Thai citizens to voice their opinions and recommendations about the Thailand of their dreams throughout the country. It is a platform for government and party  decision-makers to reach out to the young generation.  Dream Thailand has become a movement and has created inspiration that brings about citizen participation amongst Thai youth to 'act'; aiming to achieve the Thailand they dream of. It has been used as a platform to provide people's participation in the ongoing reforms in the country.

http://www.fnfasia.org/gallery/dream-thailand/

Presenter(s)

Ms Traon PONGSOPON, Thailand, Project assistant, Regional Office for Southeast and East Asia, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

Traon has earned a first class honours degree in psychology from Loreto College, University of Calcutta, India. While in India, she devoted herself as an initiator and a volunteer in youth participation and social development projects. Having returned to Thailand in 2012, she continues to work in developmental field at Thai Fund Foundation and since September 2013, she joined the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom to actively promote liberal citizenship and values in Thailand; through innovative tools and platforms for Thai youth around the country to exchange their different opinions and to engage for change.

Initiative 2

More than one story, Department of Culture and Leisure of the Municipality of Simrishamn, Sweden

More Than One Story is a unique and powerful card game which builds bridges between people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures, and has proven to be a valuable tool for teachers, social workers, religious leaders, event coordinators and youth leaders. Wherever fears and prejudices keep people isolated from those who seem different, More Than One Story is being used to facilitate the process of integration and inclusion, the opening of hearts and minds. The card game awakens compassion; it brings strangers together and is empowering individuals and organisations in over 20 countries to work for a more harmonious world.

http://www.simrishamn.se/mtos

Presenter(s)

Mr Seth SELLECK, Sweden, Youth Coordinator, Municipality of Simrishamn, Sweden

Seth Selleck is Youth Coordinator of the Municipality of Simrishamn, Sweden. He has developed various projects focused on intercultural understanding, including an international youth magazine, Cultural Horizons, which was published in the 1990’s. After hearing the Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, lecture about “The Danger of a Single Story,” Seth was inspired to find a new way to encourage intercultural communication. Knowing young people are a valuable resource for finding creative solutions, he worked with them to develop the More Than One Story card game.

Discussants

Discussants are invited to take part in the Labs in order to share their experience with the presented democratic initiatives and try to bring broader perspectives to the following discussions.

Ms Andrée BUCHMANN, France, Regional Councilor of Alsace, Municipal Councilor of Schiltigheim

Andrée Buchmann is Regional Councilor of Alsace and Municipal Councilor of Schiltigheim,.She is vice president of the French delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at the Council. As a committed environmentalist, she chairs the Observatory for Inland Air Quality established by the ministries of health, environment and housing and is a member of the National Council of Air.

Ms Francesca TRALDI, Italy, Secretary General of Magna Carta Foundation

Francesca is political consultant and Secretary General of the Magna Carta Foundation, a liberal think tank based in Rome which focuses on politics and international relations. She is founder of the cross-parties network “Save the choice” which monitors the freedom of choice of the European citizen. She is an expert in the field of grass roots and advocacy campaigns.

Mr Steven WAGENSEIL, USA, Acting President of the Council for a Community of Democracies

Steven Wagenseil is a retired American diplomat with service in African and Multilateral affairs (including a posting in Strasbourg). Since 2002 I have worked in regional and international organizations -- the OSCE/ODIHR, UNDP and UNEAD, and the Community of Democracies -- on the promotion and protection of human rights, elections, and democracy. Currently working with civil society organizations in the CD context, to ensure that governments are listening to – and acting on – the grassroots concerns of their citizens. Also active in support of Education for Democracy, promoting countries to develop National Action Plans to ensure their citizens know why they are voting.

Moderator

Mr Andreas KIEFER, Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

Andreas Kiefer was elected Secretary General of the Congress in 2010 and was re-elected in March 2015 for another 5-year mandate. He holds a doctorate of Law and finished a post-graduate university programme “General Management with a focus on public management”. He worked as Head of the Private Office of Land Salzburg‘s President and was Director of the European Affairs Service of Land Salzburg. He served as Secretary General of the Conference of Presidents of Regions with Legislative Powers (REGLEG). He has published widely and is a member of the Scientific Committee of the Institute for Studies on Federalism and Regionalism of the EURAC Bolzano/Bozen and the board of the Salzburg Institute for Education.

Cartoonist

Mr Matthieu CHIARA

Lab 11 - Freedom games
Palais de l'Europe - Room 10 19 Nov., 14.00-15.30
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Challenges 2015