Aberdeen: What is Scotland’s Citizens’ Assembly?

On the 26th and 27th October 100 of Scotland’s citizens met to begin the six-month process of deliberating on the future of Scotland. The Citizens’ Assembly will provide the opportunity to democratically work through complex issues facing the country in a way that fosters consensus and understanding rather than division in society.

But what is a Citizens’ Assembly? How does it sit in our current democratic environment? And what exactly are Scotland’s citizens discussing and how?

This public discussion will be a chance to hear from, and ask questions of, a range of speakers following the assemblies initial sitting.

Speakers include:

• Esther Roberton, Senior Governor, University of Aberdeen, Chair
• Michela Palese, Electoral Reform Society
• Dr Clodagh Harris, Head of the Department of Government & Politics, University College Cork
• Ian Davidson, Secretary to the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland

Some topics they will touch upon are:

• What are Citizens’ Assemblies
• Contextualising the move towards using participatory and deliberative methods in policy and politics.
• Scotland’s Citizens’ Assembly: how it will shape Scotland’s future and reflections on the first session from the secretariat and co-convener
• Experience of participating in Irelands Citizens’ Assembly