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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Community
The Schools of English and Social Sciences at University of The Bahamas are hosting the second annual Future of Democracy Conference from Friday July 21 to Saturday July 22 in the Harry C. Moore Library Auditorium. Friday features panels focused on democratic systems, governance, and civic participation with diverse presenters including educators, activists, and students. Youth activism, the National Development Plan, and reflections on independent and third party candidacy in the 2017 election are among the themes of discussion. The first day closes with the keynote address by Ret. Justice Zainool Hosein, Chairman of the Integrity Commission of Trinidad and Tobago. Conference Organizer Dr. Ian Strachan said, “We are pleased to have Justice Hosein from the Trinidad Integrity Commission because we, in The Bahamas, need to draw as much as possible on the lessons others have learned in trying to not just ensure honesty and integrity in those who hold public office, but also in the citizenry. Let's face it: Our representatives reflect us as a people. If we want politicians with integrity we need to actually value integrity as a society, as a people.” The Future of Democracy Conference recognizes the expertise, vision, and capabilities of the Bahamian public and gives it a place to shine. Beyond presentations and roundtable discussions, organizers have committed to creating a space for idea-generation and solution-building that will outlast the weekend. Saturday begins with roundtable discussions on legislative reform and creating change as citizens. Participants are invited to participate in two of six workshops that afternoon. 2:00pm Workshops Creating a Virtual People's Parliament with Dr. Ian Strachan Grassroots Constitutional Reform with Arthur Dion Hanna, Jr. Public Procurement with Youri Kemp 3:30pm Workshops Gender Equality with Audrey Roberts Public Disclosure with Lemarque Campbell Immigration Reform with Louby Georges
Facilitated by experienced practitioners, the workshops provide a space for Bahamians to identify shared issues of concern bringing their specific knowledge, skills, and experience to build on ideas and develop solutions. The Future of Democracy Conference is intended to help mobilize citizens and build their capacity to participate as change agents and builders in our society. This year's conference is focused on electoral reform but not to the exclusion of other pressing areas where reform is sorely needed. This conference, free and open to the public, is dedicated to creating the spaces where we start that work. For more information on the Future of Democracy Conference, visit facebook.com/outdabox242 or email futureofdemocracy242@gmail.com.
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