Workshop on Permanent Climate Assemblies

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Brussels Permanent Citizens’ Assembly (Merlijn De Rijcke)

Milan’s Permanent Citizens’ Assembly (Giuliana Gemini)

Europe has experienced a wave of climate assemblies at different levels of governance. The majority of these assemblies are ad-hoc – one-off initiatives organized by public authorities. But is this an effective model to respond to the climate and ecological crises we are facing? A small number of municipalities are experimenting with more permanent climate assemblies – a new institutionalized element of their climate governance architecture. What lessons can we draw from these early initiatives? What are the pros and cons of establishing more permanent bodies?

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In this workshop, organized in collaboration with FIDE (Federation for Innovation in Democracy – Europe), we heard from colleagues in Brussels, Milan and Paris about their different approaches to institutionalizing assemblies and the lessons they have learned to date. Led by Yves Dejaeghere, Executive Director of FIDE, we considered the opportunities and challenges of creating new permanent assemblies.  

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FIDE and KNOCA are aiming to produce a briefing about permanent climate assemblies. As a first step, we have created a draft Discussion Note that explains the motivation behind permanent climate assemblies and introduces readers to the key characteristics of the assemblies in Brussels, Milan and Paris. At the workshop we presented af draft discussion note that explains the motivation behind permanent climate assemblies and introduces readers to the key characteristics of the assemblies in Brussels, Milan and Paris.

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