Oagal has also previously discussed the introduction of permanent citizen dialogue in the form of a deliberative assembly. In February 2019, the Parliament of East Belgium decided to establish a permanent citizen dialogue – a fixed system for participatory democracy in the German-speaking community of Belgium.

The purpose of the initiative is to contribute to:

• actively involve citizens
• make political processes more transparent
• strengthen support for public decisions

Well-known cultural historian involved in the design

The Belgian cultural historian and author David van Reybrouck has been involved in the design and is known for the essay “Against Elections: The Case for Democracy.” In the essay, he points out that today’s democracy – with parliamentary elections where representatives of different political parties are chosen – is deteriorating and tiring out the voters.

Les også: Erik Solheim: Når demokratiet ikke leverer kommer legitime krav om forandring

Oagal, in dialogue with our tireless editorial team member ChatGPT, has developed this bullet-point review of the system.

Key Points for the Deliberative Model in East Belgium

1. The model in East Belgium
   Citizens’ Council:
   – Composed of a small number of citizens (often selected randomly) who function as a kind of steering committee.
   – The council decides which issues will be discussed by the citizens’ assembly, based on what is relevant or has arisen from the public.
   – It has a continuous function and ensures continuity between different citizens’ assemblies.
   Citizens’ Assembly:
   – This consists of a larger, randomly selected group of citizens who are invited to participate for a specific period (for example, a few weeks or months).
   – The assembly receives comprehensive information, meets with experts, and engages in thorough discussions before drafting recommendations.
   – After their work, the recommendations are handed over to politicians, who must provide a public response – ensuring a form of accountability.
2. Why the model works:
   – Continuity: The Citizens’ Council acts as a bridge between the citizens and the politicians, ensuring that the work continues between the citizens’ assemblies.
   – Credibility: The random selection ensures representation across social, economic, and geographical divides.
   – Informed participation: The Citizens’ Assembly has access to experts and data, ensuring that the recommendations are well-founded.
3. How to structure similar deliberative assemblies:
   Random Selection:
   – Ensure that the participants reflect the population in terms of age, gender, geography, and background.
   – Use lottery or other methods to ensure diversity.
   Access to Information:
   – Invite neutral experts to present facts.
   – Ensure that participants have time to ask questions and digest the information.
   Facilitation:
   – Professional facilitators can ensure a balanced discussion, where everyone has the opportunity to speak.
   Public response:
   – Politicians must commit to responding to the recommendations within a specific timeframe.
4. Transferable to other countries?
   – The model from East Belgium can be adapted to other contexts, but the key is ensuring that the system is well anchored in both the political culture and the public.
   – For example, in Norway, such a model could be used at the national level for issues like climate action or at the local level for urban development.

Read also: Design guidelines weaken the local democratic anchoring of place and urban development

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