How not to be polarised: a democracy refresh with Iain Walker

Brought to you in association with NZ Fabian Society and the Complex Conversations Lab this session will examine how democracies can be improved, respond to authoritarianism and build better lives in communities.

As indicators of the global state of democracy, public trust and polarisation show a steady decline, it is easy to feel helpless. Iain Walker, executive director of Australia’s newDemocracy Foundation (nDF) will join us to discuss what we might do to reverse these trends. Established in 2007, the Sydney-based newDemocracy Foundation has become a leading international research and advocacy organisation in the field of deliberative and participatory democracy. From the Australian Citizen Parliament in 2009, to establishing citizens’ juries and assemblies as an integral part of the Australian democratic system in the 2010s, to international work and the involvement in the establishment of FIDE – Federation for Innovation in Democracy Europe, Iain brings a wealth of experience and advice for the audiences across the Tasman. To quote Iain Walker “Many people are frustrated with the status quo, but real change requires showing, not just telling, how democracy can work better.” The session will examine how democracies can be improved, can respond to authoritarianism and build better lives in communities.