1818 Society Governance Thematic Group and 1818 Iran Chapter event
Western representative democracies (France, Belgium, Canada, and USA) increasingly face pervasive disengagement from political institutions. This seminar (based on a recent book by Marjan Ehsassi) will discuss an innovative approach (Citizens’ assemblies) that seems to offer opportunities for more consistent participation between elections, more meaningful input in government decision-making. In other words, an ‘Activated Citizenship’.
Speaker: Marjan Ehsassi, Executive Director of FIDE
Discussants:
- Aileen Marshall, Adviser, PTF and former World bank official
- Mansoor Dailami, Board Member, 1818 Society- Iran Chapter – Former Manager, World Bank, and former Senior Global Advisor, Rock Creek Group
Moderator: Yasmin Saadat, member-1818 Society
Speaker and Discussants brief bios:
- Marjan H. Ehsassi is the Executive Director of the Federation for Innovation in Democracy North America; fide.eu/north-america. She is a Future of Democracy Fellow (non-resident) at the Berggruen Institute; a Senior Innovations Fellow at the Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability (IDEA at OSU); and on the Democratic Innovations’ Governing Council of the American Political Science Association (APSA). Marjan’s first book, Activated Citizenship – The Transformative Power of Citizens’ Assemblies, was published in August 2024.
- Aileen Marshall is Adviser at the Partnership for Transparency (a CSO started by former World Bank staff) since 2020 after her retirement from the World Bank where her last position was Partnerships Advisor in the Africa Region. She has considerable experience in governance and conflict management and a longtime interest in women’s empowerment. Earlier in her career, Aileen was Senior Advisor to the Global Coalition for Africa, responsible for its political economy portfolio, and worked in project management for USAID.
- Mansoor Dailami has served as IMF Resident Representative in Pakistan and as Manager of International Finance in the World Bank’s Development Prospects Group. After retiring from the World Bank and IMF, he served as a Senior Advisor to a global investment management firm. His current research interests include the growth prospects of the Global South, post-conflict reconstruction, and the political economy of macroeconomic reform.
Registrations:
In-Person (MC 1-860 – 1818 Society conference room)
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On March 27th, you will be able to join the Webex session directly by using the link provided below, among other available options.
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Meeting number: 2319 467 7733
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1-650-479-3207 Call-in number (US/Canada)
Access code: 2319 467 7733
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