2010 Global Forum on Direct Democracy
Friday, July 30th 2010  
San Francisco, CA

http://www.2010globalforum.com

A century ago, a San Francisco lawyer was elected governor of California and convinced voters to adopt the most robust system of direct democracy in the Americas. Today, as we honor this centennial, hard questions are being asked about the state that direct democracy has helped make. California’s political and fiscal problems are being analyzed around the world. Californians themselves are engaged in a great debate about how to combat this dysfunction – and how best to reshape their constitution for this new century. At the heart of this debate is the state’s system of direct democracy. Is California’s use of the ballot initiative and referendum to blame for the state’s problems? Or do initiative and referendum offer solutions to those problems? Or is direct democracy both disease and cure? These same questions are not being asked only in California. They are being revisited across the United States, the Americas and in the more than 100 countries in which direct democracy is practiced around the world. Is the democracy we have now enough to meet the challenges of the 21st century – the troubles of financial markets, economic volatility, transnational health perils and climate change? Or do countries, states and municipalities need to change their constitutions and build a new democratic infrastructure that brings the views of the people more directly to bear on how such challenges are addressed? In San Francisco, where the Golden Gate Bridge marks the intersection of the continent and the ocean, the 2010 Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy — the third global forum after Aarau/Switzerland 2008 and Seoul/South Korea 2009 — will focus on another intersection, that between constitutions and direct democracy. What are the best ways to use direct democracy for the making and remaking of constitutions? And what systems and structures of direct democracy belong in those constitutions? Join us for a unique gathering this summer with academics, journalists, activists, elected officials, political professionals and – best of all – citizens from all over the state, the nation and the world. Register before May 1 at www.2010globalforum.com and become part of a new global network of citizens in charge.

Location:
UC - Hastings School of the Law
San Francisco, CA
94109