Tag: Citizens’ Assembly

‘Doing Politics Differently’: Scotland’s first Citizens’ Assembly publishes final report

Scotland’s first Citizens’ Assembly has published its report setting out a shared vision and 60 recommendations for the country’s future.

The vision and recommendations were agreed by an overwhelming consensus of members, and cover a wide range of areas including future Citizens’ Assemblies, incomes and poverty, tax and the economy, health and wellbeing, support for young people, sustainability and further powers for the Scottish Parliament.
 
Doing Politics Differently: The Report of the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland can be read online at www.citizensassembly.scot  
 
This report has been submitted to the Scottish Government and Parliament. It will be laid in Parliament for debate, with an action plan from the Scottish Government to follow.
 
To accompany the report, a short film on the Vision and Recommendations agreed by the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland, and featuring the voices of members is here: Our Vision and Recommendations – YouTube

And a second one that considers the deliberative process is here: Finding common ground through deliberation – YouTube
 
All of the materials including evidence from previous weekends, an interim report and range of supporting papers covering previous work and articles and videos about the impact of COVID-19 are available on the Assembly website

www.citizensassembly.scot 

together with recordings of plenary sessions.
 
 We will be promoting the report and other content on our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

 Citizens’ Assembly Secretariat

Citizens’ Assembly sessions postponed

The Citizens’ Assembly meetings planned for 27-29 March and 24-26 April have been postponed in line with the new public health measures announced yesterday on coronavirus. 
This decision was taken by the Convener on the advice of the Assembly Secretary and after consulting a reference group of Assembly members.
The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, on behalf of the Scottish Government, supports this decision.
The Assembly will reconvene to complete its work as soon as it is safe to do so.  In the meantime, urgent consideration is being given to how the work of the Assembly can continue through digital activity.

We have informed our members and will continue to communicate with them regularly. We have not taken this decision lightly, but the health and wellbeing of all Assembly members is our top priority and it is important to provide as much certainty as we can in these difficult times.

Best wishes, 

Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland Secretariat

Skills development training for community activists

This course is for community activists and others who wish to develop and practice their skills in facilitating deliberative (e.g. citizens’ assembly type) events – for example to support the development of local climate emergency response plans. Continue reading Skills development training for community activists

Kate Wimpress appointed Co-Convener of Citizen’s Assembly

North Edinburgh Arts chief to joint-lead national engagement initiative

Two independent conveners have been appointed to lead the first Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland. Former Labour MEP David Martin and third sector leader Kate Wimpress were welcomed to the role by Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russell, who described it as a key moment for the project.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that Assembly meetings will be held over six weekends from 25/26 October 2019 to 24/26 April 2020 in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Continue reading Kate Wimpress appointed Co-Convener of Citizen’s Assembly

So, what IS a Citizens’ Assembly?

The Scottish Government has proposed a Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland, but what IS a citizens’ assembly? 

The University of Edinburgh and Electoral Reform Society Scotland have organised a panel discussion on Monday (July 8th) from 6pm – 8pm with speakers including:

  • Joanna Cherry MP QC (SNP Justice and Home Affairs spokesperson)
  • Dr Jess Garland (Electoral Reform Society)
  • Dr Oliver Escobar (University of Edinburgh)
  • Professor David Farrell (Research leader of the Irish Citizens’ Assembly)
  • Louise Caldwell (Irish Citizens’ Assembly member)
  • Lesley Riddoch (Journalist)
  • David Martin (Citizens’ Assembly Convener Designate)

The event has been incredibly popular, and is oversubscribed so we will be live streaming it at https://livestream.com/DemocracyTV/ers-citizens-assembly

We are collecting suggestions for questions for the panel. You can submit your questions here https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/M9WZCLN

Bookmark the link now and add the event to your calendar – don’t forget to tweet along with the stream with the hashtag #ShapingScotland

View the live stream link

Phil Connor,

Campaigns Officer,
ERS Scotland