Massembly 2024

1. Citizens' Assemblies and Participatory Democracy

• Advocacy for the widespread use of citizens' assemblies at local, regional, and national levels (e.g., replacing the House of Lords, setting up assemblies for long-term issues, starting at the local level to build trust).
• Emphasis on participatory budgeting and decision-making processes that involve ordinary citizens.
• Support for creating spaces and opportunities for grassroots democratic participation, including community assemblies and participatory budgeting.

2. Civic and Political Education

• The need for better and earlier civic education, starting from primary school, to empower young people and encourage political engagement.
• Incorporation of political and ecological education, including rights of nature, to create a culture of informed and active citizenship.
• Promoting a culture of democracy through experiential learning in schools and community involvement.

3. Accountability and Transparency in Politics

• Calls for effective mechanisms to hold elected representatives accountable, ensuring transparency in decision-making and reducing the influence of lobbyists and vested interests.
• Proposals for job descriptions for MPs, declarations of outside employment, and transparency in funding and lobbying.
• Introduction of independent bodies for fact-checking and monitoring disinformation.

4. Political Reform and Representation

• Criticism of the current political system as serving a minority elite, with proposals for reforms to make it more representative and fair (e.g., replacing the House of Lords, limiting political donations).
• Support for fair and transparent government funding of political parties to reduce the influence of private and corporate interests.
• Encouraging inclusivity and diversity in political processes, ensuring that all voices, including marginalized groups, are heard and represented.

5. Environmental Protection and Rights of Nature

• Advocacy for legal rights for nature and the criminalization of ecocide.
• Proposals to integrate environmental considerations into all aspects of policy-making, including the appointment of commissioners or legal guardians to protect future generations and ecosystems.
• Calls for a nature-based curriculum in schools and the protection of the interests of future generations.

6. Building Trust and Confidence in Democracy

• Emphasis on rebuilding public trust in the political system through inclusive, transparent, and participatory processes.
• Encouragement of civic engagement and community involvement as a means to foster trust and counter populist movements.
• The role of local projects and assemblies in building understanding and confidence in democracy.

7. Long-term and Future-focused Governance

• Proposals for creating positions like a Commissioner for Future Generations to ensure policies are assessed for their long-term impacts.
• Calls for policies and governance structures that consider the well-being of future generations and the planet.
• Use of frameworks like doughnut economics to assess policy decisions and their impact on planetary boundaries.

1. Citizens' Assemblies and Participatory Democracy

• Citizens' Assemblies offer inclusive platforms for deliberation on important issues, involving diverse voices and opinions.
• Citizens' Assemblies should be used at local, regional, and national levels, with legally binding decisions and integration into parliamentary processes.
• These assemblies are tools for rebuilding trust in democracy by involving ordinary citizens in decision-making.

2. Education for Democratic Participation

• Civic and political education should begin early to develop responsible, engaged citizens who understand democracy and governance.
• Schools and educational institutions should implement assemblies and participatory budgeting to foster democratic practices.
• Media literacy and experiential learning are key to preparing future generations to resist misinformation and participate effectively.

3. Reducing Corporate and Private Influence

• Corporate lobbyists, political donors, and mainstream media often wield disproportionate power, distorting democracy.
• Regulations are needed to limit donations, increase transparency in lobbying, and prevent private interests from influencing public policy.
• Fair media regulation, including accountability and fact-checking mechanisms, is crucial to protect the integrity of democracy.

4. Long-term Thinking and Future Generations

• Decision-making should prioritise long-term impacts, taking into account the well-being of future generations and environmental sustainability.
• Legal frameworks should recognize the rights of nature, criminalise ecocide, and integrate environmental protection into democratic processes.
• A Future Generations Commission or Commissioner should assess policies for their impact on the unborn and natural ecosystems.

5. Transparency and Accountability in Governance

• Transparent decision-making processes and public accountability are essential for restoring trust in politics.
• Governments should publicly record expert advice and decisions, ensuring that citizens understand the reasoning behind policies.
• Transparency in political funding and lobbying is necessary to reduce undue influence and promote fair, evidence-based decisions.

6. Inclusivity and Diversity in Decision-Making

• Democracy should be inclusive, promoting representation of marginalised groups and fostering gender equality and diverse community participation.
• Grassroots initiatives, such as participatory budgeting and local assemblies, help empower underrepresented voices in the political process.
• Special provisions should be made to include non-voters (e.g., children and future generations) in decision-making.

7. Reforming Democratic Structures

• The structure of political institutions, such as the House of Lords and electoral processes, needs reform to better represent citizens.
• Deliberative and participatory processes, such as Citizens' Assemblies, should replace outdated and hierarchical systems.
• Introducing non-oppositional, collaborative decision-making spaces could enhance democratic functionality and reduce polarisation.