AN INTRODUCTION TO CITIZENS’ ASSEMBLIES
In facing the dual crises of climate change and housing affordability, Australia’s planning system is crying out for radical change. In particular, it needs the public voice front and centre. A Citizens’ Assembly can achieve that.
Raphael's The School of Athens
WHAT IS A CITIZENS’ ASSEMBLY?
A Citizens’ Assembly is a group of everyday people, randomly selected from the community, coming together to discuss and decide on important issues that affect us all. A Citizens’ Assembly is radically different from the usual “engagement” talkfest. There are two key differences:
1) The Citizen Assembly is randomly selected from a broad spectrum of society, so truly represents the community.
2) Citizens' Assemblies focus on collaborative discussions and consensus-building, over voting for single candidates. It’s all about finding solutions together rather than simple majority rule.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CITIZENS’ ASSEMBLIES?
Why do we need them?
They boost democracy by ensuring that diverse voices are heard. They rebuild trust in our processes and tackle complex challenges via informed citizen input.
How are members chosen?
Members are randomly selected to truly represent society. So everyone, regardless of background, gets a voice.
What issues have they tackled?
From climate change to healthcare, Citizens' Assemblies have successfully addressed pressing concerns, guiding public policy.
How do they differ from traditional democracy?
Citizens' assemblies focus on collaboration and consensus-building over voting for single candidates. It's about finding solutions together rather than simple majority rule.
EXAMPLES OF CITIZEN’S ASSEMBLIES
Citizens’ assemblies have been used in dozens of cities across the world to resolve difficult questions that were too prickly or too challenging for governments to solve alone.
Ireland
Ireland has held a number of citizens’ assemblies since 2016, on important topics including:
The Constitution;
Abortion;
Climate change;
Gender equity;
Biodiversity loss.
They have been very effective in driving change, sometimes through referendums, and have made Ireland a model for the world. This includes Germany, which has since held a number of citizens' juries on issues such as education, nutrition, and disinformation.
In January 2023, Ireland’s Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss finalised its report and recommendations for the Irish government. Among a series of sector-specific recommendations on how the State could overhaul its approach to biodiversity, the Assembly, made up of 99 randomly-selected members of the public, called for a referendum to constitutionally enshrine environmental human rights and the rights of nature.
France
In 2019-20, after ‘yellow vest’ protests against the fuel tax, President Macron held a citizens’ assembly on climate change. 123 members were randomly selected and met eight times over eight months resulting in stronger ecological legislation including the criminalisation of ecocide.
Geelong
In 2017, a citizens' jury of 100 Geelong residents was formed to make recommendations on how their community would be democratically represented by a future council, after the existing council was dismissed by the state government. This led to new legislation and widely accepted changes.
Sydney
In 2019, a citizens’ jury of 43 randomly selected people deliberated for three months on the vision for Sydney 2050. The jury’s report prioritised eight concepts:
Participatory governance;
Leadership and representation of First Peoples of Australia;
Innovative and future ready;
Housing for all;
Regenerative ecosystem;
Moving efficiently and sustainably;
Embed creative arts in everyday life;
24-hour city.
These principles form the basis for the Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050 plan.
A CITIZENS’ ASSEMBLY CAN CREATE
Greener, mid-rise cities;
More walkable hoods;
Lovelier streets;
More community engagement;
More wellbeing;
Less loneliness;
Less chronic disease;
Less urban heat;
Less car-dependence;
Fewer greenhouse emissions;
More fun!