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Why and How to Innovate Democracy: Sharing Hard Decisions with Your Community
Kathy Jones, DirectornewDemocracy Foundation
May 14th, 2015
Modern democracy frustrates the very thing we need: collaboration
How can local governments engage with everyone?
• Online engagement?
• Vox pops?
• Public forums? • …Ignore public opinions?
Modern democracy frustrates the very thing we need: collaboration
Work harmoniously with citizens
Ensure the loudest voices don’t dictate the debate
Empower citizens by giving them information and time to deliberate
Allow community members to make the hard decisions
Modern democracy frustrates the very thing we need: collaboration
What is newDemocracy?
Dedicated to doing democracy better
Using Citizens’ Juries in decision making processes
Adding deliberative processes at all levels of government
A transparent process that builds trust within the community
Modern democracy frustrates the very thing we need: collaboration
Citizens' Juries
• Not a quick fix
• Requires the ‘experts’ to hand over control
• Letting participants ask for the information they need, and giving it to them
How is this done successfully?
Modern democracy frustrates the very thing we need: collaboration
How do Citizens’ Juries work?
• Random selection
• Give participants time and information
• Ensure that the authority of the jury is pre-agreed
Modern democracy frustrates the very thing we need: collaboration
The three stages of a Citizens’ Jury
Preparatio
n
• Introduce the project• Set expectations and encourage involvement• Transparent information distribution
Jury Deliberatio
ns
• Provide multiple ways for the Jury to collaborate eg: online; group discussions; question time between sessions.
• Be clear on what can be changed and what can’t be changed• Formulate hypothetical scenarios
Delivery
• Competent facilitation• Address all opinions from the Jury• Reach a decision
Modern democracy frustrates the very thing we need: collaboration
How to structure a deliberative discussion – a five session model
1. Introduction- Explain the process- Build trust
2. Understanding- Identify knowledge gaps
amongst participants- Supply information
3. Draft report structure- Interactive discussions- Guest speakers- Reach an agreed direction
for the report
4. Intensive workshop - Develop priority lists - Agree direction
5. Reach a consensus
Modern democracy frustrates the very thing we need: collaboration
The Delivery Phase
Draft report
Achieve 80% agreement for all Jury decisions
Final Report submission
Questions
May 14th, 2015newdemocracy.com.au