INDEPENDENT NEWS

Opening the debate on the quality of our democracy

Published: Tue 24 Jun 2014 10:38 AM
Opening the debate on the quality of our democracy
People in Wellington and beyond can help to kick-start a much-needed critical examination of our democracy on August 1 and 2. Public Good and the St Andrews Trust for the Study of Religion and Society (SATRS) are hosting Democracy, Ethics and the Public Good which will open the debate and seed ideas about future approaches to building a deeper and more inclusive democracy in NZ.
“Just being able to run an election and register voters is not enough. New Zealand elections should ensure that the preferences of people and not the power of money is what counts at election time”, said St Andrews Minister Jim Cunningham. “The loosening of social ties caused by high levels of poverty and inequality in New Zealand are a significant problem for our democracy” , he continued.
Speakers including academics Bronwyn Hayward, Sandra Grey and Michael Macaulay will provide an overview of the broad themes and concepts. Campaigners like Myles Thomas, CE of the Coalition for Better Broadcasting, Cath Wallace from environmental umbrella group ECO and Max Rashbrooke, journalist and editor of Inequality: A New Zealand Crisis will take us through specific issues.
We will start to describe what is deficient and what is functioning well in our democracy. Most important will be your voice and ideas. Panel presentations, workshops and time for networking will allow us to refresh the language of democratic engagement and think about how to secure the quality of our democracy for the future.
You are invited to Join us on August 1st and 2nd at this important event.
ENDS

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