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actief burgerschap, democratie en social design

The role of cultural institutions in democratic culture

Wereldburgerschap

Democracy could use some strengthening. According to many opinion makers, it is the citizen's turn to act. How can we as cultural and social institutions encourage citizens and offer them a platform? October 25th, we will discuss the role of cultural institutions in democratic culture.

Last year

Last year, 150 participants from the library sector took part in the library days at the Dutch Design Week. At the time, we investigated the potential of social design linked to the new citizenship task of libraries.
This year the library sector is once again visiting the DDW. Now to take it a step further; a number of libraries have started working with social designers. A loose 'community of interest' is thus formed. On October 25th, we will delve into depth by discussing what we encounter and expand by also inviting partners outside the library sector. We will discuss the role of cultural institutions in democratic culture. Moreover, we are part of the Equal Society day.

The program

The morning program (9:30-12:30 including lunch) in The Natlab consitst of two parts. During the first part, led by social designers Anne Ligtenberg and Mats Horbach from Studio Ligtenberg, we zoom in on four cases of libraries that have started working on social design, democracy and citizenship. During the second part, several speakers will elaborate on the theme of citizenship and democracy in relation to social design and cultural institutions.

About Koninklijke Bibliotheek

The KB is the National Library of the Netherlands. We bring research, reading, discovery and lifelong learning within reach of everyone in the Netherlands. At home and in the library, online and offline. Since our foundation in 1798, our aim has been to collect as many publications as possible, that were written in or about the Netherlands. From mediaeval manuscripts to newspapers, and from Donald Duck magazine to historical and present-day novels.
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