Citizens’ Assemblies

Citizens’ Assemblies, also known as Civic Assemblies, are a form of deliberative democracy where a representative sample of randomly selected citizens come together to learn about, debate, and influence government actions on public policy issues. These assemblies can be organized at local, state, and national levels, providing a platform for diverse voices to contribute to the decision-making process.

Citizens’ Assemblies have been successfully implemented for nearly 50 years across Europe, Asia, and South America. Particularly in Europe, they have become an increasingly accepted part of local and national governance. Research consistently shows that Citizens’ Assemblies decrease polarization, increase trust in government and society, and enhance personal agency among participants.

Leadership Now has a working group of business leaders dedicated to helping catalyze Citizens’ Assemblies in the U.S.