Citizens' assembly definition, role and objectives

An overview of citizens' and people's assembly, in Poitiers, France, a local participatory democracy initiative.

This guide outlines the Citizens' Assembly of Poitiers as an innovative model of local democracy. Initiated by a citizen-led municipal government in 2020, the assembly aims to empower residents, foster a culture of debate, rebuild trust between citizens and institutions, and educate inhabitants on public affairs. Comprising 100 randomly selected citizens and volunteers, the assembly convenes to deliberate on collectively chosen topics, such as mobility or public incivilities. Proposal and methodology groups, including elected officials, municipal staff, and citizens, prepare the sessions. Decisions are then submitted to the municipal council for implementation. This approach promotes direct citizen participation and strengthens local democracy.

Source: Fréquence Commune
Language: French