Redesigning Democracy: An Evening School

Join us for an enlightening series of discussions at the Evening School: “Redesigning Democracy” organized by the Copenhagen Architecture Festival in conjunction with the exhibition “Imperfect Assemblies”. This thought-provoking program delves into the challenges and transformations of democracy when faced with realities beyond its original design.

Across three captivating evenings, we will explore themes surrounding future generations, non-human life, and the experiences of refugees. Each session features a diverse lineup of speakers, including philosophers, theologians, architects, and community workers, who will share their insights and provoke meaningful dialogue.

Schedule of Topics:

• Who speaks for the future? 🤔
  On the Architecture of Intergenerational Democracy
  Date: Tirsdag den 12. maj kl. 17

• Can other species be part of the political community? 🐾
  On the Architecture of Interspecies Democracy
  Date: Tirsdag den 19. maj kl. 17

• How can participation be reimagined for refugees? 🌍
  On the Architecture of Interlegal Democracy
  Date: Tirsdag den 26. maj kl. 17

Format of the Event:

The structure is straightforward—a lecture series where speakers present their thoughts while attendees listen and engage. Each session lasts about 45 minutes, followed by an open floor for questions and discussion. We embrace a supportive environment where no prior knowledge is required, and while participation is encouraged, it’s perfectly fine to simply listen. Our focus is not on arriving at conclusive answers but on exploring the complexities of democracy, identity, and decision-making in our current climate.

Featured Speakers:

• Lucy Reid: Chief Strategy & Creative Officer at DemocracyNext, co-author of the report on governance experiments integrating ecological perspectives.
• Mohammed Zanboa: A Syrian architect and founder of Municipality 101, advocating for spatial justice and refugee inclusion.
• Nicklas Larsen: Director at Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies, dedicated to intergenerational fairness in governance.
• Michelle Pace: Professor at Roskilde University, focusing on migration, democracy, and conflict.
• Kolja Dahlin: Senior consultant at We Do Democracy, specializing in citizen assemblies and participatory processes.
• Pernille Maria Bärnheim: Vice Director, educator, and researcher in sociality and the built environment, with extensive experience in urban studies.

Prepare to rethink democracy and explore innovative paths for its evolution as we navigate current challenges together. Join us, share a drink, and keep the conversation going! 🍻