What Will Participatory Democracy Look Like in Britain?

The context for setting up this evening was: since a Community Forum will be set up by Camden Council sometime next year, how can it be set up to aspire beyond the dog poo agenda?? Can Latin America offer solutions? Where has the London Peoples Assembly idea got to? I was relaxed and just totally curious as to how it would turn out.

Held on 25th July, the title was: "What would (will?) participatory democracy look like in Britain?"

The venue was a hidden gem, the sweet and lovely Candid Cafe at Torrens St, nr Angel Tube.

The event was inspired by the work of Roy Madron, who participated in the cafe.
Read extracts from his book "Gaian Democracies: Re-defining Globalisation & People-power" co-authored with John Jopling and a synopsis of his latest book: "Can Latin America Save the World?"

Our shared intention was to explore democratic participation with a view to taking practical action. Contrary to previous events, it was an invitees evening with the head of New Economics Foundation Democracy team, a representative from the Cogers society , an Agent of Awareness, the London Social Forum, a democracy student and of course "kitchen conversations".

The contributions were varied - including a drawing of 2 crocodiles that shared the same stomach as a metaphor for wise society, the use of some great words you hardly ever get to use in everyday language, like "pluralist" and the fact that unbenownst to most other participants, there were actually 3 events taking place that week on a similar theme. Seems the desire for democracy is alive and well in London. What it really is, and the implications of it were still keeping us intrigued and engaged 2 hours into the conversation.

We'll definitely hold some more events on the topic, starting with a bigger, open event in September or October to really catalyse the debate for a Community Forum in Camden. If you want to be involved, please keep 14th September free in your diary, and contact me on suzy@thepositivitycollective.org.