LOCAL DEMOCRACY

The American rhetoric of liberty, justice, democracy and equality is inspiring, yet the reality of our society has never matched those stated ideals. Even so, American history is replete with examples of people working together to build the social movements that are necessary to make profound and positive systemic change—the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, labor organizing, Civil Rights, the Environmental and Global Justice Movements, immigrants rights reforms.

The foundation for all of these efforts was a commitment by ordinary folks to demand—and create for themselves changes in their own lives and in their own communities. After all, we have the most power where we live, work and play.

The Local Democracy Conference will showcase the latest examples of communities that are creating a new way of making and implementing decisions. We will convene participatory workshops and convene panels to share best practices regarding:

--> Participatory Budgeting
--> Asserting Home Rule
--> Municipal Foreign Policy -- Addressing National & International Issues, Locally
--> Food Sovereignty
--> Guerrilla Community Gardening
--> Stopping Corporate Boondoggles
--> Community-based economic projects
. . . and more!

Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County (www.duhc.org) is the principal convener of this conference. You can ask questions or make suggestions by emailing Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap at kaitlin@duhc.org