European Democracy Lab DE

Europe yes, but how?

A constructive dialogue series of the European Democracy Lab

In November 2018, the European Republic was symbolically proclaimed in an artistic intervention all over Europe, which claimed equal rights for all European citizens. Before the upcoming European elections in 2019, the European Democracy Lab pursues to deepen the initiated debate in a series of citizens’ dialogues in cities in German border regions. Together with citizens and experts, concrete political demands, such as a European association law, voter register or social security, shall now be put to discussion.

The European Republic

The European Republic is a EUtopia (Greek εὖ "good" or "well" and τόπος "place") for a democratic future in Europe:  A republic where all European citizens enjoy political equality. The common good, res publica, is the guiding principle of our proposal for a future European community.

Though this vision is utopian in times of constant crisis, our goal is to open the debate beyond the current public discourse trapped between technocratic vocabulary and harsh rhetoric of growing nationalist movements. We want to discuss real alternatives.

There is a Plan B for Europe – The European Republic. We are convinced, our continent can transform into a post-national, truly democratic, just, and fair place.

Workshops

EUROPE 2045 is series of workshops, which seeks to initiate fresh thinking about our attitude towards cooperation between European countries and more broadly, our conception of what Europe is. We believe that the European Union as a form of political organization as well as much of Europe's shared history is not adequately covered in school and university curricula throughout the continent. Dominated by national overtones, our common history of political organization and dialogue is hardly discussed, future generations are not encouraged to participate in a discourse on Europe's current form, and more importantly: its future course.

Road works sessions

Europe is at a crossroads and the many people who work on shaping and changing it are travelling extensively across the continent – usually without even having the time to talk to local experts, citizens and other like-minded Europeans. In four different workshops, the European Democracy Lab has gathered smart und creative people together to exchange innovative Ideas for a new Europe.