In 2026 and 2027, the Democratic Education Network marks ten years. What began as a single seminar at the University of Westminster has grown into an international community of students, alumni, academics and support workers reaching from London to Tashkent, Bangkok, Hanoi, Lima and Istanbul, working on what it means for students to be partners in producing knowledge rather than consumers of it. This is the home of our anniversary year. Here you will find a rolling series of interviews and reflections in Inside Westminster magazine, a podcast and short film telling the story of how DEN grew, the launch of a permanent DEN Alumni Network, and the findings of an anniversary research project tracing the themes that have shaped our first decade. Everything is made by the people who have been part of DEN. We hope you will read, listen, and add your voice.
A City and Islington College tutor on a decade of partnership with DEN, and what AI will mean for the next ten years Lee Kennedy, Teacher and Tutor, City and Islington College (CCC), London, United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. * * * About...
An academic partner since 2009: Türkiye, ICOPEC, and the long view on DEN Prof. Dr. İsmail Şiriner, Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Batman University, Türkiye Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. * * * How did you first come...
From a virtual field trip to Vietnam to a Bangkok internship, to private equity events in London Momina Nehmat, BA International Relations and Politics, University of Westminster, Class of 2023; now working at a global events company specialising in private equity events, London, United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years...
From the Wells Street basement to EU Funds Expert in Romania Rareș Hărșan, BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations, University of Westminster, Class of 2020; now EU Funds Expert, European Funds Service (Strategy, International Relations and European Funds Direction), S.N.G.N. ROMGAZ S.A., Romania Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the...
From a shy first-year at Westminster to International Administrator Mahnoor Shahid, BA (Hons) International Relations & Development (2018–2021), University of Westminster; now International Administrator, United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. * * * How did you first come into contact with DEN? I first...
A safe space to be me, to make mistakes, to find my voice, to grow. A home away from home.
From DEN volunteer at Westminster to European governance in Luxembourg Jimmy Purewal, BA, University of Westminster, Class of 2020; former DEN volunteer and student contributor; now completing an MA in European Governance at the University of Luxembourg Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. * * *...
From a first trip abroad in Vietnam to UN panels, NGO work, and donor rooms in New York Amaan Haris, BA International Relations and Development, University of Westminster, Class of 2024; United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. * * * How did you first...
How DEN gave one early alumnus the real-world experience that landed him a tech career Mohammed Khaled, University of Westminster (2017–2020); now working in the technology sector, United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. * * * How did you first come into contact with...
From locked-down first year to Vietnam, the DEN conference, and the Civil Service Lucas Iacuzzi, BA Politics and International Relations, University of Westminster (2020–2023); now Civil Servant at HM Revenue & Customs, United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. How did you first come into...
How DEN took me from undergraduate project manager to the Embassy of Oman Tasneem Fadel, BA (Hons) International Relations and Development; former Project Manager at DEN (2018–2021); now Academic Advisor and Events Manager at the Cultural Attaché Office, Embassy of Oman, London Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic...
How DEN became my best experience at university Afra Bhuiyan, Politics and International Relations, Class of 2026, University of Westminster (Regent Street), United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. * * * How did you first come into contact with DEN? I came into contact...