For the last two months openDemocracy has been running a vitally important online debate on democracy and terrorism in association with the Club de Madrid. It has given regular people a voice in setting the agenda for the International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security to be held in Madrid on 8-11 March 2005.
Now its time to ask for your active support for the summits aims. Wed like openDemocracy readers to play a part by holding their own small, private gatherings on 11 March, a year after the terrible bombings in Madrid which left 191 people dead and thousands injured.
In their aftermath, 12 million Spaniards took to the streets to demonstrate their defiance of terrorism and solidarity with its victims. A year on, the route to the Atocha station will be filled with citizens demonstrating their continued determination to find a democratic response to terrorism. They will be joined by political leaders from around the world.
Wherever you are on 11 March, I invite you also to join the people of Madrid, by holding your own small, private gatherings.
The purpose is twofold. First, to sit down with friends, family, colleagues and others to remember the victims of terror, not just in Madrid but around the world from New York to Bali, from Istanbul to Baghdad.
Second, to talk about the nature of the threats facing modern democracies, and decide for yourself what governments and people can do to secure and improve democracy in a world where terror is used as a political tool.
What was [in 2001] an appalling exception has become an intolerable part of our lives. We need to share our response to the atrocities of Madrid with those in and from the city, then weave into this an understanding cool, patient, utterly determined that places them within the larger pattern of terrorism, and works out how it can best be defeated. Anthony Barnett, Living through terrorism (12 March 2004)
We want everyone who meets to tell openDemocracy what they talked about, what matters to them, and what should happen next. Then well make sure that the leaders who gather in the Madrid summit listen.
Before the anniversary, the summit, and the gatherings, I hope that youll take the time to learn more by going to http://madrid.opendemocracy.net/ and signing up to hold a meeting on 11 March.
Together, we can make a difference. And our conversations on the Atocha anniversary could mark a new way of developing democratic politics around the world.
Thank you,
Anthony Barnett
Editor
www.openDemocracy.net
