What are Community Assemblies?
Community Assemblies (also known by other names) are a structured way for a group of people to discuss issues or make decisions collectively. All voices are heard and valued equally; in the spirit of inclusion, no one person or group dominates the discussion. This is what makes Community Assemblies so powerful; they show us what a society could look like where the people impacted most are involved in decisions affecting them.
In a community assembly, members of the community and other interested parties such as business people and local councillors in a town or neighbourhood discuss a locally important issue. If the issue is water pollution, there are likely to be speakers from the water company, an environmental group and people affected. During an afternoon or evening, participants discuss and make recommendations which inform and put pressure on local politicians and create community connections. People and the media begin to understand deliberative processes, and that helps support our campaign for a UK wide citizens' assembly.
Community Assemblies involve:
- Relatively short sessions, usually lasting around a few hours.
- They can be joined by anyone who chooses to turn up.
- Expert speakers on topics may or may not be invited, informing participants of relevant facts.
Community Assemblies are not to be mixed up with Citizens’ Assemblies or People's Assemblies
