converge · Decision Making, Strategy, Communication · 1440–4800 min · 50-200 members selected by lottery · medium energy

Citizens' Assembly

A group of residents is picked by lottery so that it broadly mirrors the population, and given time, information and facilitation to work on a contested public question. Members first learn from a balanced set of experts and stakeholders, then deliberate in facilitated small groups, and finally agree recommendations, often by secret ballot. The commissioning body commits in advance to respond.

When to use Citizens' Assembly

Use when a public body faces a contested, values-laden question and needs recommendations that ordinary people have weighed with full information.

What it solves

Public consultation hears only from the people who always show up, and politicians cannot tell what the wider public would conclude if it had the facts.

How to run Citizens' Assembly, step by step

  1. The commissioning body sets a clear question and commits to respond to the outcome (prep).
  2. Two-stage sortition: random invitations to thousands of households, then a stratified lottery among those who reply (several weeks).
  3. Learning phase: balanced evidence from experts and stakeholders, with time for members' questions (1-2 weekends).
  4. Deliberation phase: facilitated small groups weigh values and trade-offs and look for common ground (1-2 weekends).
  5. Decision phase: members draft recommendations and vote, often by secret ballot (1 weekend).
  6. Publish the report; the commissioning body responds publicly (after).

Materials needed

  • A venue for plenary and small groups
  • Balanced briefing materials
  • Independent facilitators and an oversight group
  • Payment and practical support for members

Facilitator tips

  • Pay members and cover childcare and travel, or the lottery will not produce a representative group.
  • Have an independent advisory group check that the evidence is balanced.
  • Keep experts informing, not arguing for a position, during deliberation.

Common pitfalls

  • No commitment from the commissioning body, so recommendations are ignored and trust drops.
  • A question so broad that members cannot get to concrete recommendations.

Variations

  • Citizens' jury: a smaller panel of 12-25 people over a few days.
  • Standing assemblies that meet regularly on new questions.

Running it online or hybrid

Online assemblies have run successfully, but need tech support for every member and smaller, well-facilitated breakout groups.

What it produces

A set of recommendations with vote results and a report on how members reached them.

Origin

A deliberative body selected by lottery from the general population. Well-known examples include British Columbia's assembly on electoral reform (2004) and Ireland's constitutional assemblies. — source

Build a session around Citizens' Assembly

METODIC places Citizens' Assembly inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

Generate a session with Citizens' Assembly · Try METODIC free