Citizens’ Assemblies in Canada and Abroad: Inclusive governance for an age of polarization

One hundred and fifty randomly selected French citizens have recently been empanelled to advise their government on climate change, while in Scotland, 120 citizens are meeting over six weekends to consider their society’s future.

Across Europe and North America, Citizens’ Assemblies and Reference Panels are helping to address growing mistrust and polarization while upending assumptions about the capacity and willingness of citizens to play a more central role in political affairs.

MASS LBP Principal, Peter MacLeod, one of Canada’s leading authorities on public engagement and deliberative democracy, will talk about how these processes have begun to reshape politics across Europe and within Canada.