Matt Leighninger’s Post

Curious about the work of the National Civic League's Center for Democracy Innovation? We've got you! Learn how The Center is making democracy more participatory, equitable, and productive: https://ow.ly/2QCC50RyAje

Register now to learn how citizen assemblies can bring your whole community into decision-making -- not just the loudest voices.

Why do we need young voters? Because in order to create a more inclusive democracy, we need to represent the diverse needs of the UK. Young voters bring fresh perspectives and their voices are critical for shaping our future.

Are you worried about the state of democracy in the South? Don't let that concern turn into despair. We've got you covered with our democracy page, which houses a wealth of key resources aimed at building a sustainable and inclusive democracy in the region. Check it out today and join the movement toward a brighter future for the South! The Democracy Program at the Institute for Southern Studies provides research, analysis, and educational tools to promote a stronger democracy. Through the program, the Institute monitors key democracy issues, reports on democracy trends in the Institute's online magazine, Facing South, and collaborates with partners to advance a pro-democracy agenda, with a special focus on North Carolina. https://lnkd.in/gCy6YgyE

📢 ENS have joined 416 civil society organisations calling on EU leaders to take decisive actions to foster a vibrant civic space,  uphold democracy and safeguard fundamental rights. The letter outlines concrete actions to promote democracy, enable, support and protect civil society, strengthen civil dialogue and protect human rights amid growing concerns over the erosion of democracy in the EU. Specifically, it calls for prioritising: 1️⃣  A European Civil Society Strategy 2️⃣  A strong mandate for a Commission Vice President responsible for democracy, civic space and civil dialogue 3️⃣  The adoption of a Civil Dialogue Agreement 4️⃣  Empowering funding policies 5️⃣  A European Democracy Semester 6️⃣  A stronger role of the Fundamental Rights Agency #EUCivicSpaceNow Civil Society Europe (CSE) Read the letter, share and support our cause! 👉 https://bit.ly/3zjaaXe

Today, WH is so proud of our Partner Asja Roksa - Zubcevic and our Associate Martina Chapman, for having authored this outstanding report on the new concept of "media freedom literacy" (MFL) for the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. MFL is defined by the report as "the knowledge and skills that enhance citizens ability to understand and value the democratic functions of the media and other information providers, online and offline, and the importance of a pluralistic, well-functioning media landscape serving the public interest, including critical evaluation and ethical production of information and media content". A must read for all those who believe in the importance of both media freedom and media literacy for the health of democracy, and who are ready to work to foster them in these troubles times. https://lnkd.in/e2Sn2669

Investigative collective Bellingcat has been pioneering the use of open source evidence like social media posts to bring justice and accountability for human rights abuses, atrocities, and disinformation.    Its investigations have included detailing Russian military intelligence’s role in poisoning opposition figures, discovering who was responsible for a devastating, mysterious oil spill in Trinidad and Tobago, and illuminating the murky funding of far-right disinformation websites in India.     Bellingcat has been developing a process to use open source evidence in international court cases that seek justice for atrocities and other human rights abuses, like those dealing with the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine before the International Criminal Court. “It really helps complement other types of investigative work, witness statements, evidence gathered from the ground, when you have a vast amount of open-source data to support that,” explains Bellingcat’s founder, Eliot Higgins. Physical evidence is no longer so necessary, he says, “because there are multiple other ways to verify whether a video or photograph is taken in the place it claims to be.”    We spoke to Higgins about the collective’s work and how it strengthens human rights and democracy: https://osf.to/3VZa7XQ Listen to more from Eliot Higgins on the latest episode of What's Wrong with Democracy?, a podcast produced by Tortoise Media and supported by us. #OpenSociety #Democracy #OpenSource #IndependentJournalism #Investigations #InternationalJustice #Disinformation 

At our recent Remixing Democracy webinar, we explored how participatory practices—like citizens' assemblies, digital engagement, and legislative theater—can be blended to create stronger, more inclusive ecosystems. Key takeaways include: 1. How legislative theater in Brazil empowers communities to take ownership of policy solutions. 2. Lessons from social movement assemblies in the U.S., bridging grassroots activism and democratic processes. 3. How digital tools can expand reach and inclusion, as shown in Germany’s Forum Against Fakes. 4. Practical strategies for integrating diverse approaches to tackle global challenges. Whether you’re a practitioner, policymaker, or advocate, these insights offer actionable ideas to strengthen democracy in 2025 and beyond. Read the full recap and watch the recording to dive deeper: https://lnkd.in/g4iRC9yf

TODAY's FIX DEMOCRACY FIRST Democracy Happy Hour @ 5pm PT/8pm ET - Creating Local Democracy Hubs to Strengthen Communities with Caleb Christen & Victoria Hattersley - Register to join @ https://lnkd.in/g-WDieEP We recognize that democracy is, to a great extent, generated, expressed and experienced ‘where we live’. Much of the inter-movement work to foster and manifest a healthier US democracy is and will continue to be a “place based” phenomenon. Through creating local Democracy Hubs, we can help strengthen communities and protect and defend democracy at the local level.

Establishing racial justice within institutions and civil society is how we protect democracy in the 21st century. The democratic future we want requires that we redesign systems and practices now.