Our approach to ‘Building Global Democracy’ highlights the principles of diversity, praxis and reflexivity.  

Diversity

Regarding diversity, the Building Global Democracy programme embraces interplays of differences. Everywhere the priority is on veritable openness and deep exchanges amongst broad spectrums of constituencies, including many that have rarely collaborated in discussions of global democracy. In this spirit the convening group and contributors to BGD projects encompass large regional, academic, ideological, cultural, gender, race and other social diversities. Programme outputs are summarized in seven languages, and publication arrangements are negotiated with the aim of reaching diverse readerships. Diversity is also a priority in assembling the database and designing and operating the website. 

Praxis

Regarding praxis, the Building Global Democracy programme throughout interlinks knowledge and action, researchers and practitioners, intellectual labours and political struggles. The programme and its projects are conceived as a process of mutual learning between academic and policy circles. BGD activities always involve collaborations amongst civil society associations, official agencies and scholarly institutions. Programme outputs address academic and lay audiences simultaneously. Correspondents on the programme database are drawn roughly 50/50 from research and practitioner quarters. 

Reflexivity

Regarding reflexivity, the Building Global Democracy programme is conducted with an ongoing self-critical regard to its own democratic credentials. The programme aims at democratic accountability through transparency in all its proceedings, consultation with all interested parties, continual evaluation by those involved and affected, and (where warranted) corrective adjustments to our work. Particular efforts are made to counteract arbitrary social hierarchies that could compromise the democratic credentials of the programme (e.g. in relation to age, class, country, culture, gender, race and sexuality). With this reflexive awareness it may be hoped that the conduct of the BGD programme itself illustrates and advances processes of building global democracy. 

For more on the BGD approach please see the methodology sections of the programme prospectus.