Cooperative Governance: An Introduction to Deep Democracy

Event Summary

• Date 11/11/26
• Time 13:00
• Location Teams Meeting
• Categories Governance

About the event

This session provides an introduction to Deep Democracy, an internationally recognised approach to creating consensus in groups, developed by Myrna Lewis. The session explores how groups can make decisions and support relationships by hearing and valuing all the voices, particularly those that may be marginalised.

During the session, participants will be introduced to the rationale for Deep Democracy approaches, understanding how they can be used in a local government setting, along with practical tools and signposting so they can get started using Deep Democracy approaches in their local area.

Led by Rochdale Borough Council as part of the Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network

Good governance is not only about structures and decisions. It is also about whose views are heard, how people work through disagreement, and whether communities have a meaningful part in shaping what happens next.
This four-part online series brings practical approaches to those questions. Join colleagues from across local government to explore Deep Democracy, relational public practice and sociocracy — then come back together in January to share what you have tried and what you have learned.

Attend the sessions most relevant to your work, or follow the full series.