WORLDWIDE DIRECT DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT, WDDMAction Plan of Renewal
Historical Note The need to establish WDDM was first discussed during the first CICDD, (Continued International Congress on Direct Democracy) deliberations in 1998, in the Czech Republic. Both names CICDD and WDDM were accepted by the respective participants. Subsequently Worldwide Direct Democracy Movement was registered in Greece. WDDM was formally established in Delphi, Greece, in the year of 2000. A brief Mission Statement and a set of Principles were signed by the founding members. Subsequently an enlarged Founding Document was discussed through e-mail and approved in the same year. A Spokesperson, a Deputy Spokesperson-Secretary were elected, functioning as Central facilitators of WDDM. The centralized arrangement to create a dedicated number of facilitators failed. None of the founders and neither the new members had prior experience and did not implement the Principles and the Mission. In essence WDDM became dysfunctional. A few of the founders believe that they have gained more experience, learned from the mistakes made, and decided to renew WDDM. The members are scattered all over the world therefore a dedicated web site was needed and had already been set up. The new Web-site will allow for the decentralization of WDDM to national management. This will allow for becoming active to improve the lives of the people under widely different conditions in any given country. A separate document will be issued with a call to join the renewed WDDM.
Preliminary Arrangements 1. An Internet web site http://www.world-wide-democracy.net (WDDM Net) has already been secured. Initial cost of domain registration and web site hosting was financed by donations of two individuals. One of them also volunteered to manage the ‘Net.’ Eventually, the web-site would be managed by an elected Director/Webmaster. In the future, national WDDM groups could use the new WDDM Net in their native languages.
2. WDDM Net has the following functions: A mail server for internal deliberations and decision making; An archive for the storage of important documents and educational material. The archive will have free access by the public for reading, copying or printing its files. Links to direct democracy, DD, groups’ and individual Web-sites will be created for those who are supportive of the Mission and Principles of WDDM, and preferably, reciprocate the ‘Link.’ 3. The Director/Webmaster could establish national mail servers and national archives when the means are available and such need arises.
4. Decision making on WDDM matters in need of approval shall be made by the votes of through the mailserver(s). Initially, until a substantial number of members so decides, the Mission and Principles of WDDM will not be amended.
5. Details of decision-making and voting methods will be decided by the members.
6. Unity: The above measures are important to establish the strong network of dedicated activists. Worldwide direct democracy cannot be achieved under existing global conditions. But progress can be made in any country, within their given constraints. While some compromises ought to be made for the sake of progress, but WDDM members shall remain true to our principles and mission and torchbearers upholding high the long-term Mission.
7. In addition to electronic means for internal communications and public information, it is desirable to have printed publications both in English and in native languages. Written progress reports and advise is important, especially in countries where the majority of the people have no electronic means to become informed and participate in WDDM’s projects.
MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA 8. Any individual, can join WDDM by accepting our ‘Mission’ and ‘Principles.’ WDDM is a voluntary network of dedicated volunteer ‘Facilitators.’ The aim of the movement is to help the people to govern their own societies. Under the Principles and our Mission members are led, organized, and act independently in the country in which they live. A membership fee will have to be decided by the members. A small yearly due is necessary to cover the cost of the Net and other expenses. The members in each country could decide to have a national membership fee to cover their own operations.
10. Additional income could be obtained by various campaigns and soliciting and donations from supporters of WDDM’s activities.
11. Records of incomes and expenses shall be maintained respectively centrally and nationally by a volunteer or elected member. The yearly summary of each account shall be published yearly thus open for inspection by the members.
METHOD OF OPERATION 12. This Action Plan was conceived by the initiators for forming an international group of theorist, model builders and other promoters of genuine democracy, who are active workers for direct democracy of the people. This noble goal is achievable gradually and essential for securing a peaceful society in the future.
13. The main activities of WDDM shall be carried out locally by the members of the national WDDM branches. The Central Directorate’s main role is to secure alliance to the Mission and the action in line with the Principles. In addition, central management shall secure the means for successful operations and assist the national branches to make progress. Activities are paramount; national leaders and local members should help the people to become active and resolve their burning problems. By helping the people they will increase their prestige. They should make public announcements, news and electronic media releases, and use other means to advance direct democracy at the local and higher levels.
14. WDDM members achieve their goals by peaceful means. Since this is the beginning of a renewal, it will be essential to come up with new ideas and methods to succeed, in a national, local, and/or in the entire global network. This could only be achieved by active participation by the members. The goal is to make actual progress in whatever level, step by step, by whatever method in line with WDDM’s Principles and Mission, in whichever country and/or locality. Forge ahead!
Proposed by George Sagi, March 24, 2005 |