What new forms of interaction between governments and citizens are emerging through digitalization? How can artificial intelligence meaningfully support democratic participation and decision-making processes – and where are its limits? How can public administration be modernized in ways that strengthen participation and democracy? And how can municipalities preserve and further develop experience and innovation over the long term?
These and other questions will be explored during the stakeholder dialogue “The Future of Digital Citizen Participation – Municipal Practices in Times of State Modernization and Artificial Intelligence.” The event will take place on Friday, 4 September 2026, from 9:30 AM to 1:15 PM at the North Rhine-Westphalia Science Campus (WICA) in Oberhausen. It will feature keynote presentations from research and practice, a panel discussion, and interactive workshops. The event is aimed at stakeholders from local government and politics, academia, public participation practice, as well as the Open Government and Civic Tech communities.
The workshop is jointly organized by Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS) in Bochum, and the North Rhine-Westphalia Science Campus (WICA) in Oberhausen. Representing CAIS, Professor Christoph Bieber, Head of the research program “Digital Democratic Innovations”, will contribute to the program.