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This event is being organized in Gaborone, Botswana, between 7 and 10 October 2026 to explore indigenous, resilient and empowering methods of direct democracy.
Cologne, July 13 (DPnet).— Together with local and international partners, participants from all over the world will meet at the University of Botswana, a truly democratic institution founded through the collective contributions of citizens —including cows, goats, chickens, and all— and explore how Botswana’s unique political landscape opens new perspectives for democracy worldwide.
On October 2026, the meetings of will take place in Gaborone the world’s largest gathering on participatory and direct democracy, at the facilities of the University of Botswana.
Registration for the Global Forum is open entering your personal and institutional information HERE.
The 2026 Global Forum will explore how indigenous institutions like the Kgotla can inspire modern participatory democracy, while spotlighting citizens' roles in constitutional reform, youth inclusion, and climate justice. Botswana has a Kgotla in every village — a traditional, regular open-air assembly where citizens gather with their leader to speak their minds and shape decisions together.
Participants in this Global Forum will examine how direct democracy and citizen participation can shape fair resource governance and strengthen democratic resilience across borders. The forum focuses on how tools such as referendums, citizens’ initiatives, deliberative processes, and digital participation can strengthen democratic legitimacy, inclusion, and trust. Through a mix of panels, workshops, and case studies, participants will examine how these approaches work in practice — and how they can be adapted to different political, social, and cultural contexts.
As a global space for exchange and learning, the forum offers participants the chance to connect with peers across regions, share lessons from real-world democratic reforms, and develop ideas to expand people’s power in decision-making beyond elections. More than a conference, the Forum will be a hands-on experience — with community visits, intergenerational dialogue, and voices from across Africa and the world with an optional pre-tour on 6-7 October 2026.
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