Professor David Owen,听from the听Faculty of听Social and Human Sciences, has become the first academic from the University to听speak at the Luxembourg Parliament.
David Owen, who is Professor of Social and Political Philosophy, was one of a听group听of听international听scholars who presented to the听Parliament in March. He was chosen because of his research and publications on citizenship.
He spoke about听the legal, historical and political听perspectives on resident non-citizen voting rights, to an audience of politicians, NGOs, activists and academics in the Chamber of Deputies of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
The event ‘A new horizon for democracy’, was organized by the University of Luxembourg in co-operation with the Parliament and drew speakers from France, Germany, Luxembourg and New Zealand.
Professor听Owen explains the significance of the event:
“It took place听as campaigning started听for the 6 June referendum in Luxembourg when people will be asked to vote听on whether the resident non-citizens, who make up 45% of the population, should be allowed听voting rights in national elections, after ten years of residence.”
The event was designed to inform political debate. More than 100 people were present and it was also broadcast on Luxembourg’s听Parliament TV channel.
You can watch the听Friday afternoon session on the Parliament TV 听Professor Owen starts at 2hrs 57mins into the video.
You can find Professor Owen’s publications online below: