Participation in the RIFS conference in Berlin, 3&4 December 2025
Our RETOOL consortium partners Alice Brawley Chesworth and Lea Schewe participated in the RIFS 2025 conference "Tough Conversations in Tough Times", in Berlin. As backlash becomes more vocal in public and political debate, our research on democratic innovations is directly relevant. We explore how inclusive, deliberative processes, like climate assemblies, can help navigate polarization, rebuild public trust and foster the just and inclusive societal transformation we urgently need.
Our partners participated in two sessions that mirror the core mission of RETOOL: to understand and address the twin challenges of reinvigorating democracy and advancing a just climate transition.
In the session “Root Causes and Remedies: Exploring Interrelations Between the Crises of Democracy and Sustainability”, the discussion confronted a central paradox of our time. While liberal democracies grapple with polarization and distrust, the sustainability agenda faces ecological breakdown and inequality. Rather than treating these as separate issues, the panel critically explored their deep interlinkages.
In the session “Participation, Democratic Innovations and Environmental Activism”, the focus turned to practical pathways. The discussion acknowledged that achieving equitable transitions requires challenging dialogues, inclusivity and fair distribution. It examined how democratic innovations like mini-publics, alongside environmental activism, can bridge gaps in representative systems. The session grappled with critical questions: How do external factors shape the quality of participation? Can deliberative processes address growing inequality? How do institutional responses influence activism?
These questions resonate deeply with RETOOL’s research into climate assemblies and deliberative participation across Europe, where we study not just the design of these processes, but their real-world impact and interaction with broader social and political contexts.
This conference was a vital space to share insights and learn from a community dedicated to turning tough conversations into legitimate and effective action.
