{"id":15,"date":"2025-12-04T11:38:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T11:38:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/futuredemo.org\/?page_id=15"},"modified":"2026-10-04T12:54:40","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T12:54:40","slug":"events","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/futuredemo.org\/index.php\/events\/","title":{"rendered":"Events"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>At <strong>Future Demo ry<\/strong>, we organise and contribute to events that explore the future of democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our events bring together students, experts, and practitioners to reflect on how democracy functions and how it can be strengthened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Webinar: European Citizens\u2019 Initiative \u2013 Insights from the European Public Social Network Initiative<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wednesday 28 October 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>18:00-19:00 CET<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What is a <strong>European Citizens\u2019 Initiative <\/strong>(ECI)? What can it achieve, how does the process work, and what does it take to launch one?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Join this webinar for an introduction to the <strong>European Citizens\u2019 Initiative<\/strong> and first-hand insights from an ongoing ECI campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Veli-Valtteri Lehtonen<\/strong> (Student Network on Future Democracy \/ Future Demo ry; Democracy International e.V.) will introduce the ECI as a democratic tool, explain how it works, and outline how citizens can use it to bring issues onto the EU agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To illustrate what an ECI looks like in practice, <strong>Luk\u00e1\u0161 Mikuleck\u00fd<\/strong> from the <strong>European Public Social Network<\/strong> initiative (EPSN) will present their campaign that just started collection of signatures. He will also explain the campaign\u2019s goals, including how the Initiative seeks to address risks associated with social media platforms.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/bR9nn7e5yDc4Zj2S6\">Register here for the webinar<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For questions on the webinar, please contact: lehtonen@futuredemo.org<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Student Forum on Future Democracy 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>Tue<\/strong> <strong>13. &#8211; Mon 19. October 2026<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Eisenach, Germany<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Student Forum on Future Democracy<\/strong> is an annual international gathering of students interested in the future of democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 2023, the Forum has brought together participants from different countries to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Discuss key challenges facing democracy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Develop ideas for the future of democracy through an annual <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/futuredemo.org\/index.php\/declarations\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"17\">Wartburg Declaration<\/a><\/strong> written by the participating students<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collaborate across disciplines and national contexts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Forum also serves as the entry point to the <strong>Student Network on Future Democracy (SNFD)<\/strong>, enabling participants to continue their engagement beyond the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udcc5 The next edition, <strong>Student Forum 2026<\/strong>, is currently in preparation.<br>More information on the programme will be updated later.&#8217;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Applications Closed &#8211; Please apply next year!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For questions on the Forum 2026, please contact: vrabie@futuredemo.org <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Workshop: Kuinka j\u00e4rjest\u00e4\u00e4 Euroopan laajuinen kansalaiskampanja? (How to Organise a Europe-Wide Citizens\u2019 Campaign?)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tuesday 27 October 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>16:30 Free meal for registered in-person participants<\/strong><br><strong>17:00\u201318:45 Workshop<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Backstage, Tellus Linnanmaa, University of Oulu + online participation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How can citizens turn an idea into a campaign across Europe? How does the European Citizens\u2019 Initiative (ECI) work, and what does it take to build support across different EU countries?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Join this interactive workshop for a practical introduction to the European Citizens\u2019 Initiative, an EU participatory democracy tool that allows citizens to invite the European Commission to propose new legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After an introduction to the ECI and the support available through the ECI Forum, participants will work in groups to develop their own ECI proposal and campaign strategy. You will consider the issue your initiative would address, the change you would seek at EU level, your target countries and audiences, key campaign messages, and the tools you could use to reach supporters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Participants will also have the opportunity to publish their ideas on the ECI Forum and learn about resources available to people interested in organising European citizens\u2019 initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The workshop is particularly aimed at <strong>EU citizens aged 16 and over who are interested in civic participation and European affairs<\/strong>, but you do not need to be a university student to participate. Other interested participants are also welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The workshop will be held primarily in <strong>Finnish<\/strong>, with English-language support available if needed. You can participate either <strong>in person in Oulu or online<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If possible, please bring a <strong>laptop and a smartphone or other smart device<\/strong> for using EU Login and the ECI Forum during the workshop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83c\udf55 <strong>A free meal will be provided at 16:30 for registered in-person participants.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Organised by:<\/strong> Future Demo ry, Student Network on Future Democracy, Europe Direct Pohjois-Pohjanmaa, the Student Union of the University of Oulu, and the University of Oulu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udd17 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSf_4w8Il4vh4-MXmdxEXK_B5TKpC2_RLyLja_PGb4HAZ8YbtA\/viewform?usp=header\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSf_4w8Il4vh4-MXmdxEXK_B5TKpC2_RLyLja_PGb4HAZ8YbtA\/viewform?usp=header\">Register here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For questions about the workshop, please contact: <a href=\"mailto:lehtonen@futuredemo.org\"><strong>lehtonen@futuredemo.org<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Disclaimer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The ECI workshop is implemented within the framework of the ECI Forum. The European Citizens\u2019 Initiative (ECI) Forum is a platform operated by the European Citizen Action Service on behalf of, and under contract to, the European Commission (Secretariat-General). The opinions expressed during the ECI workshop reflect solely the views of their authors and cannot, in any way, be taken to reflect the position of the European Commission or the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83e\udd1d <strong>Get Involved<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We welcome students, researchers, and partners interested in contributing to our events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are interested in participating, collaborating, or supporting our work, feel free to contact lehtonen@futuredemo.org<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Past events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Arki 2026 \u2013 Everyday Life and Democracy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Arki<\/strong> (from the Finnish word for \u201ceveryday life\u201d) is a new international event series developed by Future Demo ry and the Student Network on Future Democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The concept focuses on a simple but often overlooked question: <em>How do people find time for democracy in their everyday lives?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arki explores how time is structured across work, education, caregiving, rest, and civic participation \u2014 and how these structures enable or limit democratic engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Arki 2026 pilot<\/strong> takes place in spring 2026 as part of <strong>FORTHEM Democracy Week<\/strong>, with sessions organised across Finland, Bosnia, and Norway. The programme includes expert panels and interactive workshops examining themes such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Everyday life and democracy in different countries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time pressure and caregiving<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work-life balance and civic participation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Practical ways to integrate democracy into daily routines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udd17 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/futuredemo.org\/index.php\/events\/arki-2026\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"337\">Read more about Arki 2026<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At Future Demo ry, we organise and contribute to events that explore the future of democracy. Our events bring together students, experts, and practitioners to reflect on how democracy functions and how it can be strengthened. Webinar: European Citizens\u2019 Initiative \u2013 Insights from the European Public Social Network Initiative Wednesday 28 October 2026 18:00-19:00 CET [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"saved_in_kubio":true,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-15","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"kubio_ai_page_context":{"short_desc":"","purpose":"general"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/futuredemo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/futuredemo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/futuredemo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/futuredemo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/futuredemo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/futuredemo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":691,"href":"https:\/\/futuredemo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15\/revisions\/691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/futuredemo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}