Background
It is clear that established systems of citizen participation and democracy will struggle to cope with the multiple challenges and trade-offs of climate change management; but how they might evolve or what might emerge to replace them is unclear.
Less democracy, more incursions into individual liberties, and a rise in autocracy are certainly one possible trend; but so too is experimentation at the grassroots with a variety of decision-making processes that have potential to strengthen social capital.
We are therefore interested in looking at the possible evolution of democracy and participatory decision-making. From both sustainable development and human rights perspectives, the essential elements of democracy (understood as governance by the people for the people) make it the only political system that is capable of respecting human rights on the scale ethically necessary to preserve the dignity of humankind.
Our core concern is to ensure that democracy is resilient in the face of climate change.
Leadership event on mobilising democracy to tackle climate change: Goodenough College, London, 19-20 April 2010
The Foundation for Sustainable Development is pleased to announce a collaboration with Schumacher College- the International Centre for Sustainability, Dartington Hall Trust, Salzburg Global Seminar and Goodenough College in London to present an international leadership seminar in the centre of London from 19-20 April 2010.
The seminar is now open for bookings. It will focus on the central question: what innovations are needed in democracy and participatory decision-making, if we want them to deliver the actions required to mitigate and adapt to climate change?
Priced at £75/Euro 85 for the full one and a half day seminar, the programme has been designed for leaders and change makers in central and local governments, businesses, non-governmental organisations and communities, and anyone concerned with mobilising democracy to tackle climate change.
You can read more about the event here, including further background and information about confirmed speakers and bookings. Or contact Caroline Carpenter at Salzburg Global Seminar with your name, affiliation, contact details and nationality to book your place.
Places for the event are anticipated to fill soon so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Scenarios for the future of democracy in the face of climate change to 2100
Over the course of 2010, with the support of a Future of Humanity Grant from US-based Foundation for the Future, we will be working to develop scenarios on “The Future of Democracy in the Face of Climate Change”.
By generating stories about the future we aim to deliver messages about how we need to act and organise ourselves now.
Our research aims to answer the central question: How might democracy and participatory decision-making have evolved to cope with the challenges of climate change by the years 2050 and 2100?
The research will draw on a series of background research and opinion papers. These will be published as working papers on this website as they become available.
Paper One: Democracy and climate change: why and what matters, Draft 1, March 2010, is now available for download
Paper Two: What is Democracy? Draft 1, March 2010, is now available for download
Paper Three: The Futures of Democracy and of Sustainable Development Governance, available in April 2010
Paper Four: Review of Climate Impact Scenarios, available in May 2010
Over the summer of 2010, we will convene a series of conversations and brainstorming sessions in the UK and internationally to help us develop and test draft scenarios on the future of democracy in the face of climate change. Please contact us if you would like to take part.
