Citizen Assemblies
Citizen Assemblies: A way for a participative deliberative decision-making process to find a pathway for solving complex problems
As a society, we need to tackle the climate and ecological crisis. The “Democracy in transformation” working group of Nova Helvetia aims to find out how we can solve these complex problems that require political efficiency by implementing alternative forms of a society-led democracy. We follow the call for implementing a Citizen Assembly to tackle the systemic issues and find solutions that are able to be carried by the entire society.
Through the Nova Helvetia prototype fund we were able to invest fully in developing a new framework for webinars and workshops around how Citizen Assemblies have to be designed and implemented to ensure a neutral and transparent process. After developing and translating the documents into all Swiss languages and English, the working group started to hold talks and workshops online in all languages, and in early 2021 also for small groups. Through the outreach efforts several connections were made and a 2-day Future Lab was held by Alexandra Gavilano at the Agriculture and Youth Conference “Breathing with the Climate Crisis – ecologically – socially – spiritually” with over 100 participants joining. Also connections to other democracy movements have been built and through the funding it was possible to promote the workshops, as well as the 4 videos explaining Citizen Assemblies and activities in social media.
The efforts have raised awareness as well in the political environment and led to several exchanges between the working group “Citizens Democracy” and politicians as well as NGOs.
The group keeps on working on bringing the concept of Citizen Assemblies closer to citizens, politicians and NGOs on local, cantonal and national level.
Further information:
Blogpost written by Alexandra Gavilano, Catalyst Lab 1
Alexandra Gavilano is an environmental scientist and catalyst for a holistic and radical system change. She is widely experienced in bottom-up approaches for change within and between organisations, empowerment of individuals and groups as well as mediation, horizontal organisation, strategy and regenerative culture work for grassroots, social and environmental movements. Her focus lies on system change for environmental protection, strengthening of democratic decision-making, and personal and collective deep adaptation.