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New European Research Centre opened in Marburg

IRI launches academic publication series on direct democracy in modern Europe

Invited scholars and experts from across Europe attended the opening of the first European Research Centre on Direct Democracy in Marburg/Germany on April 20. Addressed by, among others, the Lord Mayor of Marburg, Egon Vaupel, Vice-President of the European Parliament Diana Wallis, and IRI Europe President Bruno Kaufmann, the event was musically enriched by a performance by the “Thunderdog Ceilidh Band” from Edinburgh. As director of the new Research Centre, Prof. Theo Schiller launched Europe´s first academic publication series on direct democracy and chaired an international conference on initiative & referendums at the local level. More.

European Citizen Initiative Summit 2007 to assess the first 16 signature gatherings

Over the last years, the Initiative & Referendum Institute - Europe´s first think tank on direct democracy – has been working closely with the EU institutions and with civil society to prepare for the free and fair use of a new instrument, the European Citizen Initiative. Through capacity building seminars, international conferences, research and publications we have offered the building blocks for a better qualified debate on and use of the new initiative tools. At this point we are inviting you and your initiative to the 2007 European Citizens’ Initiative summit, where we will get an introduction to and overview of all past and current initiatives and where we will together assess the options and limits of this new instrument, as well as outlining the prospects for a proper European Initiative Infrastructure.

Lyon Democracy Forum 2007

Dialogue for Europe: Inspirations, Recommendations and Opportunities

50 years after the foundation of the European Union the issues of legitimacy and credibility of the integration process have surfaced as never before. The debate on democracy in Europe is a debate about the foundations and future of democracy as such. Together with its partners the Initiative & Referendum Institute Europe invites you to participate in the 2007 Lyon Democracy Europe Forum at the Municipal Library of Part-Dieu – to get new inspiration, agree on common recommendations and to discuss future opportunities for participatory democracy in France and Europe.

Marburg Colloquy: Annual Conference on Direct Democracy in Europe

At this festive event, which will be held on 20^th April 2007 in the main chamber of the historic town hall in the university town of Marburg (about one hour north of Frankfurt am Main), we will not only celebrate the fifth anniversary of the founding of Europe’s first think-tank on direct-democracy, but also the inauguration of our new academic institute at the University of Marburg.

Pre-Information on the World-Conference on Direct Democracy May 2008 http://www.iri-europe.org/files/events/MarburgColloquy/PreBriefing-WorldConference2008-1.pdf

The Initiative & Referendum Institute Europe in 2007

New tools for more democracy: the Institute initiates state of the art developments in research, education and European integration

Welcome to a new year with the Initiative & Referendum Institute, Europe´s first Direct Democracy Think Tank. 2007 will feature new state of the art developments in our main working fields of Research, Education and Europe, including the Grand Opening of the IRI Research Center on April 20, new Guide- and Handbooks in several languages, the launch of a premium online service and many additional opportunities to participate in the challenging task of democratizing democracy.

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Europe

New IRI Handbook 2007 on European Citizens' Initiatives

For the very first time in history, a direct-democratic procedure is to be established at the transnational level. Within the European Union one million citizens from several member
states will get the right to propose laws. The Initiative & Referendum Institute Europe is conducting a pan-European consultation process on the options and limits of citizen power beyond national borders. We offer unique information resources on the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI). More on europe.

UPDATE: IRI Launches new Handbook 2007 on the prospects for the development of citizens' initiative tools across Europe.

Research

Initiatives and Referendums at the Local Level in Europe

The Institute’s European Research Center at Marburg University is focussing its current efforts on the establishment of an international database on direct-democratic procedures and practices across Europe and comparative studies on initiatives and referendums at the local level. The 2nd IRI International Research Conference will take place in Marburg in April 2007.