Date: 11 October 2018
Time: 2pm – 5pm
Venue: Woodquay Venue, Dublin
The Coalition for Civil Society Freedom invites all to attend a public meeting on Thursday, 11 October from 2pm – 5pm at Woodquay Venue, Dublin. The purpose of this meeting is to raise issues and inspire discussion relating to the methods currently available to people in Ireland when it comes to engaging with the political system. Representatives from the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (EU FRA) and Civicus (the World Alliance for Citizen Participation) will speak from 2pm until 3pm and the public meeting will follow.
Your vote shouldn’t be the only way that you can engage with the political system.
If you’re concerned about an issue, you should be able to start a voluntary or not-for-profit group. Your group should also be able to fundraise and engage in advocacy, ie speak to your local TD, start an awareness campaign, or organise a protest. In short, you should be able to make your voice heard.
However, in Ireland right now, if your organisation engages in both fundraising and advocacy you risk falling foul of the Electoral Act and the body which oversees its enforcement – the Standards in Public Offices Commission (SIPOC).Your organisation may be forced to close down, and you yourself could be threatened with legal action.
That’s why the Coalition for Civil Society Freedom is campaigning for reform of the Electoral Act. We’re campaigning to keep #thePeoplesVoice in power.