Participation processes as engines of change and democracy. A participatory conference!

In recent years a lot has been and is being tried out in Lusatia. A lot has happened in the field of citizen participation - often at the interface to dialogue processes. There was some tinkering, but many projects were also successfully implemented with citizen participation.

According to the Körber Foundation, the rate of those who want to be more involved in political decisions is 86%. Participation is wanted and needed. It will be the new glue between representative democracy, the institutions that represent it and the citizenry. It is another pillar that strengthens democracy from within in phases of upheaval and crises.

In this “participatory conference” we want to bring together local experts and outside know-how. Take a deep look into your eyes: What worked, what frustrated you? We want to come together in a collegial, self-critical and visionary manner. Together we want to be inspired and encourage a strong, citizen-supported, resilient democracy in Lusatia. A master plan for participatory Lusatia is needed. Especially now, in times of change!

We invite you to the following program. The days can also be visited individually:

Thursday, June 13, 2024

10:00 a.m. - Arrive

10:30 a.m. - Keynote and discussion: Why do we urgently need to think of new ways of participation? The mood in Lusatia (results of the Lausitz Monitor) and the state of democracy in the region (results of the study "Upper Lusatian Value Questions"), Jörg Heidig

11:15 a.m. - Keynote and discussion: Reshaping local communities through participatory processes; Markus Götsch, Dynamic Facilitator et al., Vorarlberg

12:15 p.m. - Lunch break

1:30 p.m. - Pecha Kucha I: About celebration and failure. What is there in Lusatia? Actors introduce themselves.

3:00 p.m. - Fishbowl I, Evaluation: Lessons Learned – What worked? What not?

4:30 p.m. - Ending together and networking.

Friday, June 14, 2024

9:00 a.m. - Arrive

9:30 a.m. - Citizens' meetings, future councils, street surveys and the like; collaborative collection of participation formats and approaches; Andreas Meinlschmidt, Open Society Initiative

10:30 a.m. - Even more formats! Workshops

• • Anchor citizen participation. professionalize citizen participation; Julia Baruck, here we go
  • Renewing the world with Lego: “Lego Serious Play”; Claudia Arndt, BTU Cottbus
  • Always Vorarlberg. Participatory democracy anchored in the constitution; Markus Götsch, Narrativum
  • Digitalization and citizen participation; Norbert Rost, Office for Post-Fossil Regional Development

12:30 p.m. - Lunch break

1:30 p.m. - Pecha Kucha II: About celebration and failure. What is there in Lusatia? Actors introduce themselves.

2:30 p.m. - Fishbow II, Evaluation: Lessons Learned – What worked? What not?

3:00 p.m. - Development of concrete ideas for a participatory Lausitz

4:30 p.m. - More appointments and goodbye!

 

Moderation: Jan Hufenbach & Susanne Gärtner (Lausitz Citizens Region), Saskia Brosius (Lower Silesian Upper Lusatia Development Association)

Overnight stay: We have reserved a contingent of rooms at the Erlichthof with the Jagiela family. If you are interested, please book directly at  This email address is being protected from spam bots! To display JavaScript must be turned on.

Catering: We will be catered for on site. We welcome donations.

Registration: Please no later than June 6th. Early registrations are always welcome!