Transnational Democratic Innovations: A Reflection of the 2024 Participedia School in Cape Town, South Africa
Author: Igran Abdi Ali Ibrahim, Law Student at the University of the Western Cape (UWC)
I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Participedia School on Transnational Democratic Innovations winter school, which took place from June 10-15, 2024. Participating in this program was a captivating and humbling experience. The curriculum covered a wide range of topics, including global deliberative processes, research, and policy development, as well as fostering interdisciplinary and international exchange. In addition to the educational sessions, practical exercises, such as a session focused on the policymaking process and campaign design, were included. These hands-on activities involved collaborative group work with participants from diverse backgrounds and ideologies, providing a rich learning experience.
We collaborated with students from Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) in Canada on a campaign project. The virtual sessions with our counterparts from MUN were not only interesting but also eye-opening. Despite coming from different parts of the world and having diverse ideas and perspectives, we managed to overcome our differences through open and respectful communication.
This experience beautifully showcased the power of democracy, providing a platform for sharing ideas and opinions without fear of judgment, as we all worked toward a common goal. The facilitators’ teachings on democratic innovations and policymaking were instrumental in helping us realize our shared objective. I gained an incredible insight into how different cultures and societies approach political issues. This experience highlighted the importance of inclusivity and collaboration in democratic innovations.
As a law student with an interest in pursuing constitutional law, this program has broadened my understanding of democratic processes and the complexities involved. The knowledge and skills acquired are highly relevant to real-world scenarios. The hands-on exercises on policymaking and campaign design offered a practical understanding of the intricacies involved in these processes.
This experience has empowered me with the tools to incorporate these ideas into my personal and professional life, especially in situations that call for teamwork to solve problems and innovate. I’m extremely grateful to Participedia, UWC and PUG Research for creating this opportunity. I not only acquired invaluable knowledge, but I also connected with exceptional individuals who made the experience truly incredible.
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