Deliberative Forums / Mini Citizens’ Assemblies

Deliberative forums are dialogue-based formats in which participants jointly think through complex topics, weigh arguments, and develop collective recommendations or decisions. They are based on the principles of equality, informed discussion, and respect. In schools or youth groups, “mini citizens’ assemblies” can be used to address topics such as sustainability, school design, or coexistence in a democratic way. The method is suitable for training listening skills, critical thinking, and diversity of perspectives, and for actively involving young people in decision-making processes.

Warm up

“Democracy is the constant willingness to listen to the better arguments.”

– Jürgen Habermas

 

Take a short moment for the following questions:

  1. What does it mean to you to “make a good decision”?

  2. Have I ever experienced a group truly weighing all arguments?

  3. Why is it important to listen to opinions I do not agree with?

Buddy task:
Think together in pairs: On which topic would you like to deliberate together one day – and why?

Learn

Deliberation means “careful weighing”: In deliberative forums, people are invited to work on a topic together, to examine information and arguments, and to gradually move toward viable shared solutions.

Mini citizens’ assemblies transfer this principle to smaller groups, such as classes, youth centres, or workshops, thereby making democracy concretely tangible; this requires time, good facilitation, and seriousness, and then the method strengthens responsibility, dialogue culture, and trust in democracy.

Find out more

Dive in 1

Deliberative procedures have been tested worldwide...

...from citizens’ assemblies in Ireland to school projects in Scandinavia. In educational contexts, mini formats help to practise democratic competencies in a hands-on way. Facilitation is particularly important in order to balance power asymmetries and include quieter voices.

• Deliberation does not only change individual decisions, but the culture of dealing with diversity of opinions.
• Institutions that use deliberative procedures regularly develop trust and better decision quality.

Shared patterns of successful practical projects:

• Real topics: The more concrete, the stronger the motivation (e.g. school design, environment, coexistence).
• Ritualised structures: A clear process (input – dialogue – decision – feedback) ensures transparency.
• Making diversity visible: Balancing quiet and loud voices through facilitation tools.
• Taking results seriously: Visible implementation strengthens trust and a culture of participation.
• Interdisciplinarity: Linking social studies, ethics, language, arts, and digitalisation.

 

You can find more on this

HERE

 

Transfer 1

Conduct a mini deliberative forum (90 minutes) in your class or group:

  1. Define a topic (e.g. sustainability at school).

  2. Prepare information (texts, cards, images).

  3. Group phase: collect arguments (pro & contra).

  4. Plenary: compare options, discussion.

  5. Decision: consensus, consent, or vote.

  6. Document results and make them visible.

 

Use the checklist for this.

Reflect

Reflect

• What did it feel like to discuss arguments?
• What distinguishes this method from a normal argument or dispute?
• What role did information play in the decision?
• How can we use such procedures on a regular basis?

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