Our democracies are threatened by growing public dissatisfaction with them. However, they can find new impetus and legitimacy by strengthening citizen participation. In order to work, citizen participation requires clearly established processes, perceptible results and the inclusion of emotions.
The Irish Citizens’ Convention in 2018, the French Grand Débat national in 2019 followed by a high-profile Citizens’ Convention on climate change, or the permanent assembly of citizens associated with the parliament of Belgium’s German-speaking Community: public authorities around the world are institutionalising deliberative practices at an unprecedented rate.
Originally published in Tribune FondaN°247 – Perspectives for the “world after” – September 2020 (Fabrique Associative), by Stephen Boucher, Corentin Licoppe and Jeff van Luijk for Dreamocracy