Lesson Learned: Deliberative Democracy and Citizen Assemblies to Fight Inequality and Poverty in Brazil
Evolving international best practice seems to suggest that Citizen Assemblies (CAs) can be most useful and effective when addressing “hot” topics that existing political systems and structures are unable to resolve. But this is not always possible where political actors, who need to be part of the process, perceive unacceptable political/electoral risk. A balance may often need to be struck to find a theme/question that is acceptable to all. For this project, the selection of theme or question for the CA was not necessarily the hottest topic for the communities concerned, due to political sensitivities.
Working in collaboration with municipal governments and civil society, the project seeks to establish Citizen Assemblies in three cities in Brazil to facilitate public participation in policymaking to address poverty and inequality. Building on experience from Brazil and elsewhere, the aim is to demonstrate to public managers, political leaders and citizens alike the feasibility and value of open, inclusive deliberation to build sustainable and widely supported policy responses to complex issues. Results and lessons from the project’s three pilot efforts will be shared at national level. Increased cooperation among policymakers and civil society will address declining public political participation even as it contributes to more equitable and sustainable urban development. The project includes activities relevant to the Covid-19 crisis as it impacts civil society and ensuring that responses uphold their rights and are inclusive of their needs.