Churches will be able to apply for up to £500 to hold democracy debates thanks to a new fund from Oasis Faithworks.
The Debating Democracy Challenge Fund has been set up with the
support of the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and is available for
churches looking to host hustings and debates in the run up to the
referendum on May 5th.
The events will provide local communities with an important
opportunity to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the current
First Past the Post system and the Alternative Vote system.
Churches Together Networks and organisations can apply for up to £500
to run an event as part of a wider campaign to get people debating
democracy.
The campaign was launched off the back of a Debating Democracy event
held by the Oasis Charities Parliament last month with BBC broadcaster
Jeremy Vine.
Over the next few weeks, the Oasis Charities Parliament will be
holding three events as an example of what an Alternative Vote
Referendum debate could look like.
Debates have been confirmed in Brighton on April 15 and at King's
College London on May 4.
The date and venue of the third debate is yet
to be confirmed.
Charities Parliament Director Pete Brierley said: "These events and
this campaign are a vital stimulus for churches to engage in a once in a
generation opportunity to debate and vote on electoral reform.The referendum also gives us an opportunity to pause and think about what kind of democracy and what kind of politics we want."
A Debating Democracy resource has been made available to give churches and organisations guidance on how to run a debate.