A community-centred vision for the future

Jon Alexander is an author and co-founder.

He wrote the award-winning book Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything is All of Us and co-founded participation and innovation consultancy, New Citizen Project. Both of these projects are aimed at helping people see themselves as participatory citizens in society, rather than just consumers.

As well as all this, Jon also found the time to represent Great Britain in both rowing and triathlon.

Bringing citizens together for a stronger society

‘While I was at King’s, I started a consultancy called the New Citizen Project with Iris Schonherr (MA Global Ethics and Human Values, 2014), who was on the course with me, and Irenie Ekkeshis, a friend from my previous job in advertising. We did some amazing work, all starting from the idea to get organisations to treat people as citizens, not just consumers.

‘Then, in 2022, I published my first book, Citizens, drawing on a lot of ideas from the New Citizen Project.’

The future of democracy

‘These ideas were about giving individuals opportunities to shape the things that matter to them, for the better. As Jon explains: ‘I am trying to work on the future of democracy! I co-host a podcast called How to Save Democracy with my friend, Omezzine Khelifa, who was an activist in the Arab Spring and then became a politician in Tunisia.

‘I’m also preparing a few major talks that I’m giving this year, including one at the European Parliament and one in Philadelphia just before the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.’

And he isn’t stopping here.

‘The big project is that I’m writing my second book, with the working title, A Citizen Manifesto. I’m trying to draw on lessons from all over the world to say that, actually, there is a way forward that isn’t just techno-dystopia.’

The King’s influence

Jon’s passion for his work was sparked by his experiences at King’s, as he tells us: ‘This is a bit geeky of me but my favourite memories of my time at King’s are the additional lectures for the Associateship of King’s College (AKC). They were amazing. I especially remember Reverend Sam Wells setting out his work on being with people in the midst of their trouble, rather than trying to fix things for them. That work influenced my own a great deal.’

A shared commitment to community

‘Right now, I would advise anyone and everyone to look to the place where they live and get involved. I believe we need to recommit heavily to community and rebuild society from there. Young people getting involved in that work is essential. I’ve just been involved in another podcast series called Screw This…Let’s Try Something Else, which has a whole load of stories and tips to help.’

Interested in becoming an Associate of King’s College London?

All alumni, staff and students can complete the AKC for free. Find out more about how to register on the King’s website.