Opera Democratica Geneva (OpDemGe) is dedicated to empowering civil societies and fostering sustainable development through collaborative forums and initiatives. Our mission is to address global challenges and promote democratic values.

Demopraxys Methodology

At OpDemGe, we utilize the Demopraxys methodology, a participatory approach that combines democratic practices with practical solutions. This methodology ensures that all stakeholders have a voice in the decision-making process, fostering collaboration and consensus-building. It emphasizes connecting the practices of different organizations in a governance system that focuses on cooperation and mutual learning.

Preparing for the 2025 Forum

We are excited to announce the preparation for our 2025 Forum focused on the Right to Food. This forum will bring together activists, civil societies, UN representatives, and politicians to discuss and implement sustainable food systems within the framework of the doughnut economy. The 2025 Forum will be our third forum; the first produced the Geneva Manifesto on the Right to Food, and the second resulted in the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) on the Right to Food.

First Forum: Geneva Manifesto on the Right to Food

In 2023, the inaugural forum resulted in the Geneva Manifesto on the Right to Food, a comprehensive document advocating for the adoption of laws and public policies to ensure food security and sovereignty. It called for the creation of participatory bodies to support these efforts and emphasized principles such as human dignity, non-discrimination, and transparency.

Second Forum: European Citizens' Initiative on the Right to Food

Building on the first forum's success, the second forum in 2024 focused on the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) on the Right to Food. This initiative aims to involve European citizens directly in the legislative process to establish a right to food across Europe, drawing inspiration from successful ECIs like the right to water campaign.

Implementing the Right to Food through the UBS System

Our approach to the Right to Food involves the Universal Basic Services (UBS) system. UBS is a framework designed to provide essential public services to all citizens, ensuring access to necessities like healthcare, education, housing, and food. This system aims to reduce inequality and promote social welfare by guaranteeing that everyone has access to these fundamental services, regardless of their economic status.

The doughnut economy, developed by economist Kate Raworth, provides a visual framework for sustainable development. It emphasizes balancing the needs of people with the ecological limits of our planet. The inner ring of the doughnut represents the minimum standards for a good life, including access to food, water, and healthcare, while the outer ring represents the ecological ceiling, beyond which environmental degradation occurs. The space between these rings is the safe and just space for humanity.

We are committed to developing a solution for the transition from traditional welfare systems to UBS in Canton Geneva. This will involve leveraging the existing mechanisms of direct democracy to engage citizens in the decision-making process, ensuring broad support and effective implementation. Our goal is to create a model that other regions can replicate, demonstrating the viability and benefits of UBS within the framework of the doughnut economy.

Join us in making this vision a reality.