Democracy Innovation Workshop 2023: Citizens' Assemblies and Beyond

New York City September 14th-15th, 2023

Lottery-based deliberative processes have become permanent in Belgium, Milan and Paris. Interested in pushing for an assembly in your community? Workshop your idea with the experts this September. Fellowships available!

Apply today!

What will I learn/gain from the experience?

This workshop will bring OSUN scholars from around the world together with U.S. based public servants and civic engagement specialists in the United States. Working with key deliberative democracy practitioners and city officials who have run deliberative processes, cohorts from various US localities will join the workshop in order to workshop their ideas.

OSUN scholars will either join as participants and, depending on their level of expertise, also co-facilitators of workshops, presenting their experiences with deliberative/participatory democracy.

The programs goal is two-fold:

1) strengthen a network of democracy innovation/deliberative/participatory democracy specialists within the Open Society University Network.

2) Enable a space for participants from various backgrounds to workshop their plans for increased citizen engagement

You will learn the nuts and bolts of an assembly, and will join an alumni network to connect you with further expertise and resources to plan and implement tangible projects.
The workshop will include:
Preparation (planning)
Recruitment (The Lottery)
Deliberation (& Moderation)
Outputs (Policy & Media)
Institutionalization
Logistics

There are two types of participants for this workshop: OSUN Faculty and the broader public (cohorts from around the United States who are working to advocate for or run citizens' assemblies in their localities). The workshop will bring around 30 elected officials, public servants and community leaders to NYC for two days. We encourage participants to apply in groups of 2 or 3.

OSUN Faculty should apply here

Non-OSUN members should apply here

and email [email protected] with any questions.
Who will lead the workshops?

You will learn from the foremost experts from the U.S. and around the world regarding their experiences in using random selection and deliberative methods. They will provide you with both the broad political framework and practical considerations needed to design and implement a CA.
Where have CA's been successful?

CAs have helped move the needle on tough policy issues in Ireland (abortion and marriage equality), Canada (electoral reform and public transportation planning), and have become permanent in Belgium, Oregon and Paris.
A Deeper Dive