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DOD is co-hosting a Melbourne panel for International Day of Democracy

International Day of Democracy: democracy beyond the ballot box
Event · 888 Co-operative Causeway & Designing Open Democracy
International Day of Democracy: democracy beyond the ballot box
Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 6:00–8:00 PM
The Kelvin Club, Melbourne, Australia
Co-hosted by DOD.
RSVP for 15 September →
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This one's ours: on Tuesday 15 September, DOD is co-hosting a Melbourne panel with 888 Co-operative Causeway on democratic practices that go beyond voting.

  • International Day of Democracy is a UN-designated day, and this event is DOD's contribution to it.1
  • It's timed ahead of Victoria's 28 November state election2 to ask what democracy looks like between elections.

What it is

"International Day of Democracy: democracy beyond the ballot box" runs 6–8pm on Tuesday 15 September 2026 at The Kelvin Club in Melbourne.3 Light catering is included with entry; drinks and meals are otherwise available at bar prices.4

To mark International Day of Democracy in the lead up to a Victorian State election, Designing Open Democracy and 888 Co-operative Causeway are hosting a Melbourne panel on emerging democratic practice — citizens' juries in local government, new deliberative technologies, and cooperative ownership models. This event brings together practitioners, researchers and civic technologists to talk about what's being built now and what it would take to go further.

The panel covers practices and institutions that can deepen democracy beyond the ballot box: citizens' juries, deliberative technologies, and new iterations of co-operative enterprise.3

RSVP for 15 September →

Sources & further reading

  1. "In 2007 the United Nations General Assembly resolved to observe 15 September as the International Day of Democracy — with the purpose of promoting and upholding the principles of democracy — and invited all member states and organizations to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness." International Day of Democracy ✓ Verified, Wikipedia. ↩

  2. "A state general election is scheduled to be held on 28 November 2026 to elect members of the 61st Parliament of Victoria." 2026 Victorian state election ✓ Verified, Wikipedia. ↩

  3. "To celebrate International Day of Democracy and in the lead up to a Victorian State election, 888 Co-operative Causeway and Designing Open Democracy are pleased to host a Melbourne discussion on democracy beyond the ballot box." "International Day of Democracy: democracy beyond the ballot box", Humanitix, accessed 25 August 2026. ↩↩

  4. "Light catering included with registration. Drinks and meals at bar prices." "International Day of Democracy: democracy beyond the ballot box", Humanitix, accessed 25 August 2026. ↩