School Democracy in Denmark

School democracy

• A trial period of total equality• Weekly meetings• One man one voice• More responsibility• More democracy

How does local democracy work in Denmark?

• 5 regions/counties

• 98 municipalities• Local councils.

Responsibilities

Various social services

Eldercare

HospitalsPrimary schools

“Think twice before you don’t vote”

What is the problem?

• Participation is falling• Young people don’t vote• Uninterested in politics

Why?

• Local councils don’t appeal to young people• It is booooooring!

• Post-modern society• Young people are individualists

Not everybody is disengaged

• Young people’s language• Lack of information

Communication fails

Young people become ignorant

Lose interest

What have you done to examine the extent of the problem and usefulness of your idea?

• Two local politicians

• Questionnarie• Students between 15 to 17 years

• 50 % are not interested in local politics• 20 % interested in local politics.• 30 % don’t care at all

• Only 13 % were active in democratic processes at our college.

What could be done to improve young people’s participation and

interest in local government?

Political school speed dating session

Comedy show about local politics

Innovation

• Not new inventions

• A new context

Easy or difficult?

Speed dating: - Busy politicians- Students’ lack of interest- Students’ insecurity

+ Great fun!+ Cheap+ Opportunity to ask questions F2F

Easy or difficult?

Comedy show: - Humiliating for the politicians- Irony is easily misunderstood

+ Funny+ Easy to put into practice

Comedy show about local politics

Who will benefit from our solutions?

• Politicians• Society at large• Young people