Beyond the Walls – Rethinking Parliament as Public Space

What do parliamentary buildings really say about democracy? Are they open, welcoming spaces for citizens - or distant symbols of power? This special podcast episode launches the fourth guide “Parliament as a Space and Place” - in a series of eight Citizen Engagement Guide s, by Inter Pares - Parliaments in Partnership, which is implemented by International IDEA and in collaboration with the International Parliament Engagement Network (IPEN), with support from the European Union. Timed to commemorate the International Day of Democracy, this podcast explores how parliaments function both as physical spaces and symbolic places that shape public trust, identity, and participation. Featuring global experts and real-world examples - from Berlin’s iconic glass dome to mobile parliaments that bring democracy to rural communities - this episode shows how architecture and design can either build bridges between citizens and their representatives or reinforce barriers. Join us as we unpack how parliaments can move beyond walls to become truly inclusive spaces of belonging, connection, and democratic engagement. Background reading: Parliament as a Space and Place Guide Guides on Citizen Engagement for Parliaments More on Inter Pares Guests: Professor Cristina Leston-Bandeira, Chair of the International Parliament Engagement Network, and Professor of Politics at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. Anna-Maria Pawliczek, Senior Officer, Division Int 4, International Exchange Programs, International Parliamentary Cooperation, German Bundestag About the Host: Jessica Benton Cooney is a Senior Communications Consultant for International IDEA’s Inter Pares: Partnerships in Parliament project, where she leads strategic communications for this European Union–funded initiative to strengthen global parliamentary development.

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Beyond the Walls – Rethinking Parliament as Public Space is an episode from Democracy IDEAs by The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.

This episode is 26:44 long.

This episode was published on Sep 10, 2025.

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