Citizens' forum (citizen participation)

Citizen participation (→ overviews )
Citizens 'forum / citizens' reports / planning cell
Goal / function	Advising decision-makers, influencing public discussions
typical topics	specific local or regional problems and planning tasks
context	Questions at local and regional level
typical clients	Local politics, local government, associations or similar actors
Duration	at least 4 consecutive days
Participants (number and selection)	100 people (4 groups of 25 people, usually); random selection
important actors, developers, rights holders	Jefferson Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA) / Ned Crosby (USA) / Institute for Public Policy Research (UK) / Peter Dienel , Citizen Participation Research Center, University of Wuppertal
geographical distribution	USA, also UK / v. a. Germany , also Europe
Sources: en.wikipedia (Citizens' jury); Nanz / Fritsche, 2012, pp. 86–87 (citizens' report / planning cell)

A citizens' forum (also citizens' reports, citizens' councils, citizens' assemblies , planning cells , English citizens' juries ) is a commission that is selected at random to develop decision-making aids on specific issues. To clarify the questions, the participants receive factual information from experts . The results of the consulting processes are summarized in citizen reports by a neutral implementation agency and presented to the public and the clients . The citizens receive an expense allowance. The real influence of citizen reports on political decisions is controversial.

target

The main aim of citizen forums is to involve the general public in decision-making processes. The basic philosophy of such meetings is based on the desire for fair representation of all concerned in the preparation and decision-making process .

technology

Pinboard moderation is usually used in citizen forums . This is a combination of planning and visualization techniques with group dynamics and conversation elements. In a process controlled by a moderator, problem solutions are worked out in the group and visualized with the help of colored cards on pin boards. The visualization is a crucial feature of the process and can be used to collect contributions, structure, weight alternative solutions and present the results.

The procedure also offers the inexperienced participant the opportunity to participate; it allows differentiated points of view to be clearly expressed and, in contrast to usual discussions, ensures that important secondary ideas are not lost.

The Metaplan method uses simple tools (large wrapping paper on a pegboard, colored cards, felt-tip pens, glue dots ...). With these tools, the statements are made visible and organized for everyone. So every thought can be captured and prevents time-consuming repetitions and makes connections recognizable.

According to the socio-technical principle, topics are discussed on an internet platform (forum) and the results are summarized by moderators. With a subsequent vote, the consent of the participants is obtained. A technology that allows cross-regional work and keeps costs low.

A citizens' program on the social market economy was created on the Internet, which was supported by a representative opinion poll with an agreement of over 80%.

District work

The participation of large citizen groups and entire city districts requires special methods of organizational development and large group moderation . This allows groups with up to 1000 participants to be led to active, creative and cooperative collaboration.

literature

• Hans-Liudger Dienel, Antoine Vergne, Kerstin Franzl, Raban D. Fuhrmann, Hans J. Lietzmann: (ed.) The quality of public participation procedures - evaluation and assurance of standards using the example of planning cells and citizen report , Munich 2014, ISBN 978-3- 86581-247-6

Web links

• Article on citizen forums in the guide to civil society

Examples

• Forum Sipplingen , info.forum-sipplingen.de
• Citizens' forum for local government , kommunalforum.de
• More democracy , mehr-demokratie.de
• Planning cell , planungszelle.de

Footnotes

1. ↑ Patrizia Nanz , Miriam Fritsche: Handbook Citizen Participation: Procedures and Actors, Opportunities and Limits , bpb (vol. 1200), 2012 (PDF 1.37 MB) →  to order the printed edition at bpb.de.
2. ↑ Citizens 'forum, which took place across national borders in the Federal Republic of Germany: Citizens' forum on the social market economy ( Memento of the original from July 18, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.