Over the past year, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation has hosted 26 “democracy dialogues,” conducted 100 interviews, and published 54 collaborative essays that encouraged civil society leaders from around the world to reimagine the future of democracy. The outcomes of these different discussions informed its recently-published report “Democracy for All: Beyond a Crisis of Imagination.” The report identifies three shifts that need to happen within the global democracy movement to rise to the challenge of resurgent authoritarianism.

The report notes that more decision-making should take place at the local, which will encourage everyday citizens to take greater ownership of the future of their communities and engage them in the democratic process. This approach would ensure that decisions are made with unique local needs in mind. The report also calls for international organizations to allow citizens a direct say in policies that will affect them.  To address exclusion and inequality, authors called for a “democratised economy that works for all.” Read our director, Ryota Jonen’s, essay entitled “What Can Save Democracy” on page 30 of the report and learn more about the “Democracy Dialogue” hosted at the Ninth Global Assembly.