Bürgerräte

Bürgerräte, also known as citizens' assemblies or citizens' juries, are a form of deliberative democracy. They involve a randomly selected group of citizens who are brought together to learn about a specific issue, deliberate on it, and make recommendations. The selection process typically aims to mirror the demographics of the wider population in terms of age, gender, socioeconomic status, and other relevant characteristics.

Participants in a Bürgerrat are provided with balanced information from experts and stakeholders on the topic at hand. They then engage in facilitated discussions and deliberations over a period of time, often several days or weekends. The goal is for participants to develop a shared understanding of the issue, consider different perspectives, and work towards consensus or well-reasoned proposals.

The recommendations generated by a Bürgerrat are usually presented to policymakers, government bodies, or the public. While Bürgerräte do not typically have binding decision-making power, their recommendations can influence policy development and public discourse. They are seen as a way to increase citizen participation, legitimacy, and the quality of decision-making by incorporating diverse viewpoints and fostering informed deliberation. Examples of topics addressed by Bürgerräte include climate change, urban development, and social policies.