From Innovations to Ecosystems: Highlights from the Remixing Democracy Webinar

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On November 12, 2024, People Powered hosted the Remixing Democracy webinar—a lively and insightful conversation on how to create stronger democratic ecosystems by blending diverse participatory practices. Moderated by Josh Lerner, the event brought together thought leaders in democratic innovation to discuss how to build sustainable, resilient democracy through citizens’ assemblies, legislative theater, digital engagement, and social movement assemblies.

The goal? To inspire practitioners to explore these powerful methods, connect democratic practices in new ways, and ultimately make participatory democracy more accessible and effective.

Watch a recap of the webinar and read the key insights below!

Key speaker insights

Josh Lerner (Moderator, People Powered)

Josh set the stage, explaining why we need to shift from isolated “waves” of democratic practices to creating integrated “ecosystems” that can reinforce each other. He noted:

 "Democratic innovations have often been tested as one-off projects, but the real power comes when we link these practices together in meaningful ways."

Drawing from his white paper From Waves to Ecosystems, Josh discussed how integrating various democratic approaches could build more robust systems of public engagement, making democracy more resilient to current global challenges.

Stefan Roch (Bertelsmann Stiftung) – Forum Against Fakes in Germany

Stefan shared his experience with the Forum Against Fakes, a citizens’ assembly in Germany addressing disinformation by blending in-person discussions with extensive digital participation. "Our goal was twofold," he explained. "First, to open up the citizens' assembly to a wider public audience through digital participation, and second, to tackle the complex issue of disinformation in a way that would resonate broadly."

Through extensive outreach, they achieved over 400,000 digital engagements, showing how online tools can broaden participation and enhance the legitimacy of democratic processes. Stefan emphasized that digital components helped bridge gaps in representation:

"This process allowed us to reach voices that traditional citizens’ assemblies might miss." 

Marcella Nery (Delibera Brasil) – Legislative Theater in Bujaru

As the best action plan award winner in the recent Climate Democracy Accelerator cohort, Marcella took us to Bujaru, a remote Amazonian community facing economic and environmental pressures. Here, Delibera Brasil, a People Powered member, is using legislative theater to amplify the impact of a citizens' assembly, engaging local residents through emotionally resonant performances. "In Bujaru, legislative theater doesn’t just present policies—it engages people’s emotions and lived experiences, bringing democracy to life in a culturally meaningful way," Marcella explained.

She detailed the challenges facing Bujaru, a remote community in the Amazon dealing with economic and environmental pressures, and explained how legislative theater was a natural fit for connecting with local residents. Marcella highlighted the value of integrating community-specific approaches: 

"We’re working with students and communities to make policies tangible and to foster a sense of ownership among participants. Legislative theater helps residents see themselves in the solutions." 

Kesi Foster (Partners for Dignity and Rights) – Social Movement Assemblies in the US

Kesi discussed the unique model of people’s movement assemblies in the U.S., which focus on empowering marginalized communities to take part in decision-making. "In places like Jackson, Mississippi, we see how assemblies driven by grassroots organizations can push for meaningful, community-centered policies," Kesi explained. For example, a community-driven assembly helped secure $10 million in funding for initiatives focused on Black youth, demonstrating how social movement assemblies can have tangible impacts.

Partners for Dignity and Rights, a People Powered member, recently released a report on diverse forms of assemblies. Addressing the broader implications of linking citizens’ assemblies with social movements, Kesi emphasized that assemblies outside of formal government structures allow for a more direct approach to community issues and for broader civic engagement,:

"Too often, democratic innovations are disconnected from the movements on the ground. By bridging these approaches, we’re not only making democracy more inclusive but also more effective in addressing the real needs of people." 

More themes and takeways

  • Digital Tools in Democratic Ecosystems: Speakers explored how digital platforms can extend democratic engagement, though Marcella cautioned that inclusivity requires accessible, simple tools like WhatsApp to keep rural communities connected. Stefan noted, "Digital platforms can expand reach, but inclusivity requires careful planning to avoid biases and ensure diverse voices are heard."

  • Flexibility and Innovation: Panelists agreed that flexibility is key. "There is no one-size-fits-all solution in democracy," Kesi remarked. "That’s why integrating various practices is essential." The blending of methods like citizens' assemblies, legislative theater, and social movement assemblies allows for adaptable engagement that meets community-specific needs.

  • Engaging Political Stakeholders: The conversation also touched on how to build political support for participatory processes. Marcella emphasized that in Brazil, positioning these practices as supportive rather than oppositional has been critical to successful collaboration. "We position these practices not as opposition but as support for democratic governance," she explained, reinforcing that framing participatory democracy this way can open doors to government partnerships.

Resources and Next Steps

Our "Remixing Democracy" webinar underscored the transformative potential of democratic ecosystems, offering actionable insights into blending participatory practices.

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