It is already common practice to involve the general public in reaching decisions that affect it. Where conflicts between the various interests are resolved, even-handed, lasting solutions can be achieved, leading in the long term to an environment worth living in, economic success and social cohesion, while strengthening people's trust in decisions relevant to the public and in politicians. In order to establish civic participation more firmly – and above all permanently – as an essential component of democratic decision-making, it is important to evaluate experience so far, to seize on new ideas and to stimulate/intensify a many-sided debate involving various special fields.

A platform for the vital debate about the future of civic participation is provided here. On this menu level you will find:

• Scientific studies in which new approaches, methods and instruments are presented, and pioneering case histories and conceptual suggestions for possible or necessary (further) developments in the field of participation are presented; 
• Personal points of view contributed by experts on participation and intended to stimulate and intensify reflexion and qualified deliberation on particular aspects of civic participation; 
• international documents on the basis of which international debate in the field of participation can be followed and/or tied in with these (forthcoming).