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Subject: Founding Document changes
From: Bruce Eggum
Date: 28 Mar 2005 01:35:36 -0000

At the initial meeting of the WDDM it was decided the founding documents were not precise enough and needed modification. This was not completed and I agree it is necessary. Here are my initial suggestions. Bruce Eggum

WORLDWIDE DIRECT DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT, WDDM 
FOUNDING DOCUMENTS
PREAMBLE 
We, members of the Continuing International Congress on Direct
Democracy (CICDD) decided during our second Congress in Delphi, Greece, the birthplace of democracy, to establish a formal Worldwide Direct Democracy Movement. 
**Bruce note: It is questionable as to Greece being the "birthplace of democracy". Tribes practiced democracy for millenniums. Delete "the birthplace of democracy".
We dedicate ourselves to work toward the introduction of Direct Democracy (DD) into the representative systems, through Citizens Initiatives and Referendums, and, ultimately, transform them peacefully to true democracies of the people. 
**Bruce note: The above indicates I&R as acceptable Direct Democracy.
We pledge ourselves to remain faithful to genuine democratic principles as expressed in our Mission Statement. We aim to inspire others to join us and help to develop principles and methods leading to direct democracy (DD) of the people.

We have been and will remain dedicated members of CICDD and share our ideals and proposals with all participants in the Network, individuals, and families. 
**Bruce Note: The above paragraph implies that WDDM should have open to the public messages and I here-by move that all messages of wddm yahoo.com as well as the new list be made open to the public.
MISSION STATEMENT 
We, members of the Worldwide Direct Democracy Movement, believe that all citizens have the right to directly perform lawmaking and other governmental functions in any polity in which they live. Therefore we seek to develop and promote any participatory processes which allow people to exercise their rights to make their own laws and/or manage their own governance. 
1. WE BELIEVE IN THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES 
1.1 People are sovereign, and they are the only legitimate authority
to govern their society. 
1.2 The power to formulate laws and policies must be vested directly in the People without representatives at all levels of societal life. 
**Bruce Note: This implies only Fundamental Direct Democracy without any I&R is acceptable to WDDM.  Are you getting confused? I move "without representatives at all levels of societal life. " be deleted.
1.3 Every person have equal right and opportunity to participate in
public affairs. 
1.4 The people shall define major societal issues and policy
alternatives when they are based on well-informed choices. 
**Bruce Note:1.4 is Fuzzy, I move it be deleted.
1.4.1 Public opinion can be easily influenced by vested
interests and money. Therefore, we oppose such manipulations. Public debates must be factual, balanced, impersonal and non-manipulative. 
1.4.2 Each issue must be presented and considered independently
and its best alternative be selected strictly on its own merit. 
1.5 Peoples Initiatives, backed by sufficient number of signatures, should mandate a binding Referendum and/or recall unworthy representatives (I&R+R) decided by public vote. 
**Bruce note: Again referring to I&R as an acceptable Direct Democracy method but 1.2 bans all representatives. Confused yet?
1.6 Individuals and families must be made acquainted, from 'bottom up', with sensible educational tools to understand social morality, the common needs and interests of all, thereby, enable them to make knowledge-based societal policies. 
**Bruce Note; Bottom up is an imprecise "fuzzy" term which I move should be deleted.
1.7 We as 'Facilitators' shall endeavor to help citizens to setup
Planning Cells, Citizen Juries, and Citizens Forums, as local bodies to supervise municipal and local administrations and public
administrations. These 'Forums' to hear and attempt to settle issues,
and if they cannot, then refer them either to the courts or to Citizens Parliaments. 
**Bruce note: I don't think WDDM should "facilitate" someone else's affairs. Delete facilitator's. 
1.8 We believe in and advocate peaceful and gradual transformation of society into genuine democracy. 
1.9 We are against any form of aggression and violence, but we believe that the people must defend themselves, if and when, they are attacked. 
1.10 We advocate respectful dialogue and constructive proposals. 
1.11 Voting and gathering signatures can take place by secure
electronic methods, therefore, we endeavor to have it legally
established. 
**Bruce note: Some electronic methods are not precise and should not be endorsed by WDDM. Communities and Nations must make their own rules regarding elections. WDDM can prepare guidelines and suggestions only. I move to delete 1.11
1.12 The results of public decisions will constitute the body of the
law. 
**Bruce Note: Discussion is not enough to establish law. I move 1.12 should be deleted.
Signed by International Coordinating Committee for the formalization of the Worldwide Direct Democracy Movement. 
SIGNATORIES 
- Milad Alshebani, Founding Member, Jamahir Society for Culture and Philosophy, Vienna, Austria. Coordinator, Jamahir Society, Tripoli Office. Member, RCM, Tripoli - Libya. 
- Shuji Imamoto, Ph.D. Philosophy, Co-leader, Political Forum of the Internet, Japan; The Mutual Think-Tank "Challenge 21". Member of the Rainbow and Green Movement, Japan. And the Association promoting National and Local Initiative and Referenda. 
- Angela Ionita, Ph.D. Informatics, Dept. Head, National Institute
for Research and Development, Romania. Technical author of several publications and books. She has been the Founder and head of several Romanian technical and scientific association 
- Franz Iseman, Former Dozen of the Goethe Institute, Germany. Head of Language Departments of Goethe Institutes in several countries worldwide. Representative of Mehr Demokratie, Germany. Appointed local organizer of the 3rd CICDD events in Germany. 
- George Kokkas, Media Lawyer. A founder of the Forum of Citizens Democracy, Greece. The local organizer and Chairman of the 2nd CICDD events in Athens and Delphi, Greece. 
- Michael Mautner, Ph.D. Professor of Chemistry, New Zealand. Author of 'A Constitution of Direct Democracy'. 
- Jiri Polak, Ph.D., Sweden. Author of 'Democracy, Direct or
Indirect?' and other democratic books. The main initiator of the 1st
ICDD and organizer and Chairman of the local deliberations in Pribram, Czech Republic. Vice-Spokesperson of WDDM. Editor-in-Chief, founder and publisher of the 'Newsletter of WDDM', published in Sweden/Czech Republic. 
- Ottorino Rizzi, Italy. Author of To Lead or to Serve? with a section "Twinning": an idea to provide meaningful assistance by twinning rich communities and/or countries to help poor and deprived ones. 
- Antonio Rossin, Dr. Neurologist, Italy. Author, The Grassroots
Bottom-Up Approach to Direct Democracy, and other democratic theses, focusing on Family Education. 
- George Sagi, Retired Dipl. Ing. (B.Sc.) M. Sc. Canada. Spokesperson of WDDM. Author, A theory of Direct Democracy, and other publications. Educator of DD. Founder of Participatory Direct Democracy Association, Canada. Helping Hungarian activists to advance DD. 
- Giuseppe Strano, Dr. Psychologist, Italy. Secretary of WDDM.
Founding member of Associazione Democrazia Diretta, Italy. Webmaster. Set-up the CICDD listserver, and wddm.org. and related functions.