Why are citizen assemblies being used for the constitutional modernisation process?
It is important for ordinary citizens to make an informed contribution to the constitutional modernisation processes that will affect their future. Governing bodies usually make decisions based solely on input from experts and various organised interest groups. Citizens who are not affiliated with community organisations are generally ignored, except at election time. Citizen deliberation processes enable ordinary citizens to engage with the issues and provide well informed policy advice that considers a much wider range of perspectives. The output of a citizens’ assembly are recommendations for constitutional modernisation the government and political parties can apply with confidence to satisfy the broadest range of public, private and institutional interests.
