Dec 4-6, 2024 - Global Voices Share Their Vision
Cardano’s Constitutional Journey
The journey to create Cardano’s first constitution has brought people together across continents, sparking discussions on governance that are as innovative as the technology itself. Our co-founder Max van Rossem is a part of this historical journey as the Dutch delegate. The recent constitutional workshop held in Kenya gathered delegates from around the world to review Cardano’s constitutional draft. The workshop represented a crucial step forward, not only in the drafting process but also in fostering a truly international conversation around the future of the Cardano ecosystem.
A Global Gathering in Kenya
Delegates arrived in Kenya from locations as far-flung as New Zealand and the United States, with one participant earning the unofficial title of “highest flight time winner” after a journey that took an upward of 30 hours! The wide range of voices brought into the constitutional discussion will form a basis of global consensus around the topic of governance. The rigorous, page-by-page review of the draft, brought insights from their respective community workshops to the table. Constructive debates formed around the topics of the budgetary mechanisms, preamble text and delegated voting, wording around Drep/SPO Code of Conducts and more.
Building Momentum for Minimum Viable Governance
A highlight of the Kenya workshop was the clear momentum around establishing a Minimum Viable Governance (MVG) model. This concept centers on creating a governance framework that allows Cardano’s decentralized ecosystem to function while being adaptable to future needs. By focusing on an MVG, the delegates aimed to balance inclusivity and practicality, building a system that could grow with the community. The energy around this goal was substantial, and delegates left Kenya with a shared excitement for the next milestone: The ratification convention in Argentina.
Local Voices, Global Impact
He who influences the thinking of his time influences all the moments that follow him. Leave your opinion for eternity
−Hypatia
Our own co-founder Max was the representative from the Netherlands. He advocated for the inclusion of an Explanatory Memorandum to clarify the intention behind each part of the constitution. This additional document, as argued during the Den-Haag workshop in the Netherlands, would be invaluable for ensuring that future community members understand the constitution’s goals and principles, preserving the integrity of the document as Cardano’s ecosystem evolves.
In addition to his push for an Explanatory Memorandum, Max advocated for the testing and importance of Article VII of the constitution, which deals with provisions for governance adjustments. Alongside fellow delegates Max argued for the importance of establishing the view that the constitution is a living document that will evolve alongside rapidly changing technology and new empirical data from Cardano's so called "MVP" governance is gathered.
Fellow delegates joked ‘you can always find the microphone near Max’ - due to many comments and microphone requests. But there were many passionate engagements between delegates that reflected the reality of a constitutional journey, and the depth of commitment among community members to shaping Cardano’s governance.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Argentina
As Kenya’s workshop wrapped up, participants reflected on the progress made and the collective vision for Cardano’s future. The workshop set the stage for the upcoming Constitutional Convention in Buenos Aires, where the draft will undergo final discussions and, hopefully, be ratified by the Delegates before being ratified on chain by every ADA holder.. Delegates and community members are eagerly looking forward to this event, recognizing it as a landmark moment for Cardano and the blockchain industry as a whole.
The Kenya workshop exemplified the international, collaborative spirit at the heart of Cardano’s constitutional journey. Diverse perspectives focusing on practical governance solutions. Crafting a constitution is not easy as this new frontier of human collaboration is full of known-unknown and unknown-unknown variables.
Even with many things unknown, some things are certain. With Cardano’s community, one that is held together by the resolve that the systems of our world can be better, we will be able to face any challenge the world throws at us!
