2023 IODP Conference

From 6 to 8 November 2023, the city of Rio de Janeiro, with the support of the IOPD Secretariat and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), organised our 22nd annual major gathering of local leaders to share their experiences on local participatory and deliberative democracy. The event took place at the Cidade das Artes cultural complex in Rio de Janeiro, hosting over 800 participants from more than 46 countries. Read more...

The International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (IOPD) is a network of over 1000 cities around the world in which municipalities and other local and regional governments together with civil society organizations and research centers are associated to develop, implement and disseminate experiences on participatory and deliberative democracy at the local level in order to deepen democracy in the government of cities. The IOPD is part of the United Cities and Local Government (UCLG) world organization.

Every year, the IOPD holds an international conference to discuss and reflect on the state of participatory democracy in the world. The IOPD conference is a gathering of local leaders and experts in the field of participation who advocate a more participatory local democracy. It is also an opportunity to promote cooperation between cities and international organisations in the area of democratic innovation.

The IOPD is currently chaired by the City of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where its 22nd conference will be held, from November 6 to 8, 2023.