International Day of Democracy: democracy beyond the ballot box
Description
At a time when many people feel more like spectators than participants in democracy, this special International Day of Democracy event asks what democratic life can look like between elections - and what practical ways we have to take part.
Ahead of Victoria’s State election, hear from four leading thinkers and practitioners working with different forms of democratic participation:
Nicholas Gruen - policy economist and leading advocate for citizens’ juries and deliberative reform
Anitra Nelson - University of Melbourne scholar and writer on housing, degrowth and democratic alternatives
Godfrey Moase - former Executive Director of the United Workers Union and co-founder of energy co-operative CoPower
Nicole Hunter - co-founder and Managing Director of MosaicLab and one of Australia’s most experienced practitioners of deliberative engagement
Together they will explore citizens’ juries, deliberative democracy, co-operative enterprise and practical ways of making decisions with people who may not agree with us - with plenty of time for questions and conversation.
Light catering is included with registration. Drinks and meals available at bar prices.
Why should you attend?
This is a unique opportunity to hear from and engage with democratic practitioners and thinkers across different silos. Stay on for a drink and the chance to network after the formal discussion.
About the venue
Established in 1865, the Kelvin Club is a private club located in the heart of the Melbourne CBD and has been the venue for many 888-hosted discussions.
Hosted by 888 Co-operative Causeway in partnership with Designing Open Democracy.
Lineup
Nicholas Gruen
Nicholas Gruen is a widely published policy economist, entrepreneur and thought leader, who has increasingly focused on the deep drivers of political dysfunction and alternative institutions to support human flourishing. He is currently CEO of Lateral Economics and over a long career has actively contributed to Australian policy thinking both within and outside government.
Godfrey Moase
Godfrey Moase is a former executive director of the United Workers Union, cofounder of the nonprofit energy cooperative, CoPower and chair of Overland Journal.
Anitra Nelson
Anitra Nelson is an activist-scholar affiliated with the Informal Urbanism Research Hub (InfUr-) at University of Melbourne. Key recent works include the Routledge Handbook of Degrowth (ed. 2025), Beyond Money: A Postcapitalist Strategy (2022) and posts at Degrowth.Info on horizontalist democracies and economies. See more at https://anitranelson.info/
Nicole Hunter
Nicole Hunter is co-founder and Managing Director of MosaicLab, an experience facilitator specialising in deliberative engagement, strategic planning and risk communications. She has led the Yarra Valley Water Citizens' Jury and is a Fellow and certified trainer with the Engagement Institute and co-authored Facilitating Deliberation - A Practical Guide.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity