The mission of Living Democracy is be a resource of useful information and practical ideas to encourage and support skilful engagement with the official decision-making system, and to build a strong network of citizens with the capacity to organise and engage effectively.

Our deeper purpose is to awaken people’s consciousness of their power and responsibility to shape their lives, their society and their future, and to help create a society in which citizens meaningfully exercise their rights and responsibilities to shape the decisions that affect them.

Our Core Values

Values are not just nice words. They define how we behave in pursuit of our mission, and they guide our choices and decisions.

Three core values underpin the intentions of Living Democracy and guide the behaviour of those who support its purpose. These values are Collaboration, Innovation and Integrity.

Integrity

Integrity is a core value because we believe integrity underpins credibility.

One of the critical deficits in modern democracy is a lack of trust which is pervasive, corrosive and destructive. People do not trust the institutions that shape our lives. And the institutions of power do not trust the people.

Finding ways to engage with each other openly and honestly cultivates trust and credibility which are essential to healthy relationships and a healthy democracy.

Innovation

Innovation is a core value because we believe that innovative responses are more effective.

Einstein said we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking that caused them. Many of the solutions to our deepest problems and our most contentious issues require everyone involved to rise above their bias, and think and innovate outside the box.

Collaboration

Collaboration is a core value because we believe we are more powerful when we combine our efforts with others.

Working in isolation, citizens become weak. Working apart from each other, different sectoral interests become divided and opposed. They tend to operate out of fear and unhelpful stereotypes.

It doesn’t have to be that way. When more of the system is ‘in the room’ the thinking is better and so are the outcomes. This is not about compromise or coercion. It’s about people becoming more intelligent together.