🎤 Keynote Speech – Democratic Innovations and Representative Democracy | Brussels, Belgium | May 16, 2025 🇧🇪

The REDIRECT project hosts a keynote lecture by Mark E. Warren, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of British Columbia, Emeritus Merilees Chair for the Study of Democracy, co-founder of Participedia, and member of the REDIRECT Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).

This keynote explores the relationship between democratic innovations and representative democracy in the context of democratic erosion, polarization, and institutional underperformance.

While electoral institutions remain central to accountability and representation, they increasingly struggle to channel democratic values into effective governance. Democratic innovations—such as deliberative mini-publics, participatory budgeting, and new forms of citizen involvement—are presented as strategies to:

  • Address democratic deficits

  • Broaden inclusion

  • Strengthen legitimacy

📌 Key Themes:

  • The role of innovations in supporting representative democracy

  • Structural challenges: globalization, inequality, cultural backlash, digital polarization

  • Both the potential and the limitations of these practices in reimagining democracy

🌍 Drawing on his work with Participedia, Warren highlights how global data on participatory governance can serve as a critical resource for governments, practitioners, and advocates seeking to renew democratic practice.

📍 Location: Munplunt, Brussels

📅 Date: May 16, 2025

👤 Speaker: Mark E. Warren – University of British Columbia | REDIRECT SAB

#DemocraticInnovations #RepresentativeDemocracy #Polarization #Legitimacy #Participation