Over 350 participants from 43 countries gathered in Valongo from 17 to 19 October for the 23rd Annual Conference of the International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (OIDP).
Over 350 participants from 43 countries gathered in Valongo from 17 to 19 October for the 23rd Annual Conference of the International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (OIDP). With the theme, “Populist Threats: Building Democratic Resilience with Participatory Communities,” the three-day event brought together local and regional government representatives, civil society leaders, and experts to explore how participatory local democracy can address the challenges posed by rising populism and safeguard the future of democratic governance. The Conference featured 39 different sessions including panels, workshops and other activities co-organized by IOPD, UCLG and other partners and collaborators.
Day 1: Setting the Stage for Democratic Resilience to Face Authoritarian Threats
The conference opened with a dynamic session at Fábrica do Carvalho, where our President José Manuel Ribeiro, Mayor of Valongo, welcomed participants. He emphasized the importance of the event, stating, "This is a crucial moment for our municipalist movement. Let’s celebrate best practices to strengthen democracy through participation!"
Emilia Saiz, Secretary General of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), echoed these sentiments, underscoring the role of our Conference in reshaping democratic processes globally: "From UCLG and OIDP, we are committed to shaping tools and actions that bring democratic learning and resilience into the global conversation. What happens in places like Valongo impacts multilateralism and the world."
Keynote speaker Cas Mudde, a renowned expert on populism, highlighted the critical role of local communities in rebuilding democratic trust. "It’s at the local level, where people meet in non-political settings, that trust can be rebuilt," he said, emphasizing the importance of local engagement in strengthening democracy.
The day featured a standout session by the UCLG World Forum of Intermediary Cities, moderated by Firdaous Oussidhoum, UCLG Assistant to the Secretary General, which brought together leaders from Hani i Elezit (Kosovo), Reykjavík (Iceland), Dudelange (Luxembourg), and Esplugues de Llobregat (Spain) to discuss how local governments are fostering democracy and safeguarding future generations. This discussion served as a precursor to the next forum set for Cuenca, Ecuador, in January 2025.
Workshops and panels showcased inspiring participatory democracy initiatives from cities in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe, providing practical examples of how participatory mechanisms can counter authoritarianism and ensure citizen involvement in decision-making.
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Day 2: Focus on Human Rights and Youth Participation
The second day featured sessions led by UCLG, which opened with the ‘10,100,1000 Human Rights Cities and Territories by 2030’ campaign, spotlighting experiences from cities in Brazil, Portugal, and Africa. These discussions explored how human rights can be realized by promoting local democratic participation.
The spotlight was also on youth, with a UCLG special session on the NextGenC program “Revitalizing Democracy: Powering Youth Participation and Rebuilding Trust in Intermediary Cities.” In collaboration with universities in Latin America and Europe, this initiative encourages greater involvement of young people in local governance. Local young leaders from Valongo shared their experiences of being included in municipal decision-making, a testament to the success of the local government’s participatory approach.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in workshops and discussions focused on combating populism and authoritarianism through local engagement, with diverse insights from cities such as Dnipro, Mexico City, and Kraków.
The second day culminated with the 18th IOPD Award for Best Practice in Citizen Participation. The grand prize went to Iztapalapa for its exemplary work in local public service provision and care with the UTOPÍAS - Units of Transformation and Organisation for Inclusion and Social Harmony. Likewise, seven special mentions were awarded to cities including Quezon, Bohicon, and Valle del Cauca for their initiatives on gender equality, climate change, and public services.
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Day 3: Local & Regional Leaders Assembly and Looking Ahead
On this day, Emilia Saiz moderated the Local & Regional Leaders Assembly, discussing the state of democracy at the local level, the role of local governments in promoting and strengthening democracy, and what is needed from the multilateral system to achieve this. Our Secretary General Lluis Rabell, Councilor of Barcelona, highlighted the importance of OIDP and UCLG as global networks to boost solidarity worldwide. He stressed the role of cities like Barcelona, which promote local policies to address inequality and ensure sustainable futures for all generations.
Finally, in the closing ceremony, we announced Krakow as the host of our 25th IOPD Conference in 2026. Emilia Saiz expressed her gratitude to the mayor of Valongo and the local team for hosting our Conference: "Valongo is now on the map of our global municipalist movement." As the 23rd edition Conference came to an end, Juan Domingo Viola, Secretary of Citizen Participation and Youth of Córdoba (Argentina), invited participants to the next edition in his city.
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Thank you for coming to #OIDPValongo2024!
See you in #OIDPCórdoba2025 from 21-23 May 2025!
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