Democracy Week 2026 to focus on meeting Members
States Assembly
7 September 2026
Jersey’s seventh annual ‘Democracy Week’ follows the island-wide elections in June, with opportunities for the public to book onto a range of events where they can meet their newly elected representatives after their first three months in office.For the first time, the week will feature three Democracy Cafés around the Island. A Democracy Café is an organised but informal event that facilitates conversation, enabling people to explore topical issues that matter to them, in a respectful, inclusive way:
- Pastries and Politics: Monday 21 September, at The Hub, Windward House, from 8am to 9.30am. This morning event is aimed at businesses and those working in St. Helier.
- Join the Conversation is at the Salvation Army café in Minden Street, St. Helier on Tuesday 22 September from 10am-11.30am. All welcome.
- Democracy on the Move: Friday 25 September, a guided circular walk from the Jersey Pearl Café in St. Ouen, followed by a cuppa and chat in the café. The 45-minute walk will start at 10am from Jersey Pearl and culminate at the café on the Jersey Pearl site until 11.30am. All welcome.
Islanders can also sign up for free Tours:
- Visit the States Chamber: Tuesday 22 and Thursday 24 September from 12-1pm. Both tours will include a question and answer session with States Members.
- Political History walking tour around St. Helier: 10am-11.30am on Thursday 24 September, and the same time on Saturday 26 September. Led by Blue Badge Guides. These are a great opportunity to learn about the heroes, battles and riots that have helped shape Jersey’s political past.
- ‘Clash of Titans: Jersey’s Ultimate Rivalry’: 5.30pm Friday 25 September, St. Helier. A ‘Tall Tales’ tour with Toby Clyde-Smith: ‘You’ve heard the names, or maybe you haven't, but do you know the feud? Pierre Le Sueur and François Godfray were Jersey’s greatest political enemies, locked in a struggle that would change everything. This tour tracks their history - and the scars they left on the map. Pick a side and uncover the bitter truth behind two people who gave their lives for the Island.’
- Blue Badge guided Royal Court and States Chamber Tour: Saturday 19 September. Please note there is a small fee for this 2-hour event to cover the professional guides.
Tickets for the Democracy Café, tours and walks are available via the States Greffe Eventbrite page.
Several Pop-up stands are organised at various locations and times. They offer Islanders the chance to come along and chat informally to States Members:
- Saturday 19 September sees the first at the Jersey Farmers Market at Le Tacheron Farm, Trinity, which is open from 10am to 2pm
- Monday 21 September at the Town Library from 11am-1pm
- Wednesday 22 September in the Central Market from 12-2pm
Democracy Week also sees the launch of the States Assembly’s CPD (Continuing Professional Development) programme for teachers which will provide educators with the ongoing knowledge and support to teach young Islanders about Jersey’s democracy and political system. This will take place at the Jersey Museum AV theatre from 7pm-8.45pm on Thursday 24 September. Free tickets are available to teachers and those working in education, including home educators via Eventbrite.
Included in this special event:
- An introduction to the CPD programme and year-round education offering from the States Greffe.
- A screening of the 45-minute documentary, ‘Please vote for me’. The documentary showcases what happens when a primary school class in Wuhan, China has its first encounter with democracy. This thought-provoking film, which was shortlisted for an Oscar in 2008, follows the eight-year-old ‘candidates’, their classmates and families, as they campaign for election to be class monitor.
- A short talk on the value of political education from Dr Joseph Sherlock, Assistant Professor in Behavioural Science and Public Policy, Kings College London.
- Meet the States Members attending the event.
Jenny O’Brien, Head of Digital and Public Engagement at the States Greffe, said:
‘We love using Democracy Week to launch new initiatives that provide the public with the opportunities to learn about and engage with the States Assembly. With a newly elected Assembly, it’s the perfect time to help Islanders to connect with their Members and we hope that the Democracy Cafés will be a popular event format that can grow during the political term.
‘In addition to all the public events, we’re delighted to be working with schools, colleges, charities and sports clubs, connecting their communities with States Members to have meaningful conversations. We are particularly grateful for the support of charities and organisations, including Dementia Jersey, Enable Jersey, the Grace Trust, Jersey Childcare Trust and the Sports Club of Jersey, for enabling these meetings.
‘Finally, Democracy Week also marks the first meeting of the 2026-2027 Jersey Youth Assembly. JYA member numbers are not capped and we welcome sign-ups from 14-19 year-olds via the States Assembly website.’
