Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Democracy Festival in Denmark – the “People’s Meeting” – following its organisers contacting the council about Bute as a potential location for a future festival, and it’s something that has stayed with me in terms of how we think about democracy, engagement and our work as a Council.
The Folkemødet, as the Danes call it, brings together tens of thousands of people each year on the island of Bornholm – politicians, public bodies, communities, businesses and the media – all coming together in an open, informal setting to talk about the issues that matter.
What struck me most wasn’t just the scale or the ambition, but how deliberately it is designed. Everything about the festival is structured to be accessible and inclusive. Events are free to attend and range from formal debates and panel discussions to workshops, exhibitions and community-led sessions.
There isn’t a single platform or “expert voice” – instead there are multiple spaces, often literally tents or open-air venues, where conversations can happen in different ways and with different groups.
Just as importantly, it is genuinely discursive. It’s not about broadcasting opinions; it’s about creating dialogue across differences. People don’t just listen – they question, challenge, contribute and reflect together. That feels particularly powerful at a time when, globally, there is concern about polarisation and trust in institutions.
There are some clear lessons in that for us.
Across Argyll and Bute, we are often working on issues that are complex, sensitive and deeply rooted in people’s lives – whether that’s housing, education, community empowerment or our response to national reforms like Democracy Matters. In that context, how we engage really matters.
The Democracy Festival is a reminder that:
- Inclusion has to be designed in, not assumed
- Dialogue needs space, time and the right conditions to flourish
- Trust builds when people feel heard, not just consulted
That applies whether we are engaging with communities, working with partners, or having conversations internally across teams. Taking the time to create space for different perspectives – and being open to what comes back – leads to better decisions and stronger outcomes.
The experience also reinforced something we already know well in Argyll and Bute: when we bring people together in the right way, we see the best of our communities and our public services. It’s something we should continue to build on, particularly as we think about future engagement and participation.
Our hope now is that the isle of Bute will be selected as the location for a Scottish People’s Meeting – A Scottish Festival of Democracy.
And finally, despite Scotland having got the better of Denmark on the pitch in those World Cup qualifiers, I have to say we received an exceptionally warm welcome during our visit – a reminder that strong relationships and mutual respect can sit comfortably alongside a bit of healthy competition. Let’s hope that performance can be replicated against Morocco tonight – Come on Scotland!
Have a good weekend when it comes.
Pippa
Pippa Milne
Chief Executive
