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Aarauer Demokratietage

Current political topics are addressed and debated at the Aarau Democracy Days. The annual event includes a panel discussion and an academic conference. The Aarau Democracy Days are aimed at representatives from academia, politics, the media and interested members of the public.

On Thursday, March 14, 2024, students will discuss the voting age of 16 at the Barcamp. In the evening, the large public event will take place with a keynote speech by former Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer and a subsequent panel discussion.

On Friday, March 15, 2024, researchers will present their work at the scientific conference on three thematically different panels and answer questions from the audience in Q&As.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 16th Aarau Democracy Days.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Student barcamp

Thursday, March 14, 16:00 – 17:30 pm

At the event on the topic of “Voting age 16”, interested school classes can discuss with experts and ask their questions.

Register school class
Detailed description

A barcamp is an open workshop in which participants can contribute their own content. Past Aarau Democracy Days have shown that students like to engage intensively with the burning issues of their time – we want to provide a platform for this.

Moderation

Information on moderation will follow

Public event with Ueli Maurer

Ueli Maurer

Thursday, March 14, 18.00 – 20.00 pm

The public event on Thursday evening is dedicated to the general public and focuses on the topic of “Fiscalism and democracy – is tax competition fair?”. Former Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer has been invited to give the keynote speech. At the subsequent panel discussion, other high-profile guests will discuss the topic from various perspectives. Afterwards, all guests are cordially invited to an aperitif riche.

Admission free, registration not necessary.

Detailed description

Information will follow

Program

18.00 Welcome
18.10 Speech “Federalism ensures fair tax competition”, with former Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer
19.00 Panel discussion with

  • Landammann Dr. Markus Dieth, President of the Conference of Cantonal Governments (KdK)
  • Prof. Dr. Andrea Opel, Professor of Tax Law at the University of Lucerne
  • Dr. Eva Herzog, President of the Council of States and member of the Council of States of Basel-Stadt
  • Prof. Dr. Kurt Schmidheiny, Professor of Economics and Applied Econometrics, University of Basel

Moderation: Melanie Pfändler, journalist and moderator

20.00 Apéro riche

Speakers

Landammann Dr. Markus Dieth, President of the Conference of Cantonal Governments (KdK)

Prof. Dr. Andrea Opel, Professor of Tax Law at the University of Lucerne

Dr. Eva Herzog, President of the Council of States and member of the Council of States of Basel-Stadt

Prof. Dr. Kurt Schmidheiny, Professor of Economics and Applied Econometrics, University of Basel

Friday, March 15, 2024

Scientific conference

This year’s academic conference will examine the topic of “Democracy and Federalism” from various perspectives and invites academics to contribute to the topic with their research.

Panel 1: Democratic problems of fiscal federalism

Friday, March 15, 9:00 – 10:30 am

Anmelden

Coffee break

Panel 2: Access to democratic rights: promoting diversity in naturalization

Friday, March 15, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Lunch break

Panel 3: Political education in federalism

Friday, March 15, 1:30 – 3:00 pm

Medienspiegel
Archiv

Catering

Catering is included at the public event (aperitif riche) and at the scientific conference (refreshments during breaks and stand-up lunch). For better planning, please register for the scientific conference.

Getting there

Please use public transportation if possible. If arriving by car: Please use the public parking lots and parking garages. Follow the brown parking garage signs of the parking guidance system. We recommend the public barracks parking garage in Laurenzenvorstadt (2 minutes’ walk to the Kultur & Kongresshaus Aarau).