Reflecting on the 2024 Participedia School on Transnational Democratic Innovations
Author: Charline King, Masters Candidate in Political Studies (2nd Year) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC)
The 2024 Participedia School on Transnational Democratic Innovations was the highlight of my year thus far! Having the opportunity to engage the insight of intellectuals and leaders from various disciplines was quite refreshing. Every day was filled with a wealth of knowledge. Moreover, I love that I am able to apply the concepts and critical thinking we were taught on transnational/participatory democracy beyond paper and the classroom setting, especially taking into consideration that I have no prior knowledge on the topic. What I would also say is what, in my opinion, made this winter school experience different, was that everyone (including those who joined our sessions virtually) had a positive attitude towards learning, amidst their independent credible achievements. One could tell that everyone was expecting to learn and achieve something new. I believe that made the experience so much more exciting!
The efficiency on the team’s side with regards to communication and preparation also proved that they too didn’t take the week (and the experience) for granted. In addition, the Participedia and Politics and Urban Governance Research (PUG) team cultivated such a safe space, where diving into the unknown was encouraged. I found myself dabbling in topics I had no prior knowledge on, but due to the genuine kindness and participatory nature of the facilitators I knew that whatever topic I would engage in, would somehow result in my benefit. After much walking around, I eventually joined the “Canada-Germany Hydrogen Alliance” case, where the partnership between Candida and Germany was discussed. To my amazement, the week started with me knowing very little about Hydrogen and the policies constituting it. However, by the end of the week, I could critically analyze and debate the various “pathways” given to our group.
Moreover, the winter school exposed me to a wealth of relationships, which made it comfortable for me, to not only explore the world of academia more often, but these relationships also encouraged me to be comfortable with taking risks and being uncomfortable. Every day brought with it a new adventure and a fresh perspective of a different country. We had fun too, I left richer, from ice-breakers to our extra mural activities. I was left fulfilled. Some experienced a new syllabus, however, I would like to think that I had the opportunity to engage the world and the beauty of our diversity as a people.
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