Reboot Dialogue #9

Susanna Cafaro (Italy) in conversation with Nico Andreas Heller
Democracy and Participation in International Organisations

As the EU, through representative, participatory and recently even deliberative mechanisms, has increasingly evolved into a distinct democracy in its own right, Susanna Cafaro believes there is the potential for other international organizations (IOs) to evolve towards some kind of democratic governance and to increase their levels of legitimacy and accountability in the process.

Furthermore, she believes this is important and urgently needed as we are facing a number of global issues (climate change, pollution of oceans, loss of biodiversity, rising inequalities) that nation states are not able to address independently. Her current research therefore focuses on assessing levels of democracy in governance beyond the national dimension, as well as suggesting innovative improvements through civic forms of participation.

In this second Reboot Interview, Susanna will share some of the insights she has gained so far and reflect on some of the current challenges IOs are facing in their efforts to democratise – especially in light of recent geopolitical developments.

More information about Susanna Cafaro and her work is available here.