The Sir Bernard Crick Centre for the Public Understanding of Politics has become one of just four UK organisations accepted into the International Organisation for Participatory Democracy—an international network which aims to boost local democracy.
The Sir Bernard Crick Centre draws together an international, inter-disciplinary network of academics, practitioners and civil society groups, for the analysis and promotion of democratic innovation and inclusive, engaged citizenship. The International Organisation for Participatory Democracy (IOPD) aims to produce and exchange best practice from cities across the world for the participation and involvement of citizens in local democracy. There are over 500 organisations involved in the IOPD from major cities and towns across the world, but London and Bristol were the only other two UK cities represented prior to the Crick Centre’s membership.
Professor Matthew Flinders, Founding Director of the Sir Bernard Crick Centre said:
“Across the world many societies are battling with similar problems of anti-politics, falling voter turnout and political disengagement. I am delighted that the Sir Bernard Crick Centre has been accepted into the International Organisation for Participatory Democracy, giving us an opportunity to share our research and expertise from Sheffield across the world. Through the IOPD the can continue to explore how best to promote public understanding of politics and active citizenship, from Albania to Venezuela”.
Image courtesy of David Drexler via Flickr
Recent events organised by the Sir Bernard Crick Centre have involved civil society groups, artists, practitioners and academics from countries including Algeria, Mexico, China and Turkey. The Centre is committed to building international partners across its five research strands: Youth Politics and Citizenship; Science, Technology and Democracy; Politics, Art and Expression; Participation, Protest and Transformation; and Political Institutions and Democratic Reform.
