Digital Democracy: Exploring New Forms of Democratic Representation, Participation, and Governance
August 11-15, 2025 | Tsinghua University in Beijing, China and the International University of Japan in Minami Uonuma, Niigata, Japan
Intelligent and digital technologies have emerged as a major force in reshaping democratic institutions and public governance worldwide. Currently, over ten cities are piloting digital local democracy or participatory initiatives across China. To understand these innovative practices, examine emerging issues and tensions in the development of public digital infrastructures, and identify areas of improvement, we are pleased to have hosted Participedia School on Digital Democracy: Exploring New Forms of Democratic Representation, Participation, and Governance (August 11-15, 2025). The Participedia School program spanned over 40 hours across 4 days, and two countries (China and Japan).
Participedia School 2025 on Digital Democracy aimed to:
Empower the Next Generation of Researchers: Offer aspiring scholars and practitioners in digital democracy an immersive experience, engaging with the latest innovations, research, and real-world applications in the field.
Explore Emerging Challenges and Opportunities: Examine key issues arising from recent digital democracy initiatives, such as creating E-forums to foster greater public participation and enhance the quality of deliberative processes. The program also delved into how digital tools can expand and reimagine traditional electoral representation frameworks.
Foster Innovation and Collaboration: Identify critical gaps and opportunities for collaboration in addressing pressing challenges, including combating digital fraud, ensuring equitable access, and enhancing trust and transparency in democratic systems.
Week Overview
What: This Participedia School explored digital democracy through themes of AI and democracy, digital participation, digital deliberative democracy, algorithms in democratic oversight, public digital infrastructure, democratic integrity, and technological safeguards against digital fraud. It spanned over 40 hours across 4 classroom days. The curriculum also encouraged students to utilize Participedia’s case repository.
When: August 11-15, 2025
Where:
August 11-12, 2025: Tsinghua University in Beijing, China
August 3, 2025: Travel
August 14-15, 2025: International University of Japan in Minami Uonuma, Niigata, Japan
Who: Graduate students, faculty, community leaders, local government officials, Participedia researchers, and professionals whose work can be enhanced by deepening understanding and engagement with digital democracy. The program hosted in-person participants, with additional attendees joining online. In addition to regional based registrants, we created space for up to 20 self-funded international participants.
If you have any questions, please contact info@participedia.net.