burgerberaad

Burgerberaad, literally a “citizens’ assembly” in Dutch, is a form of participatory or deliberative democracy in which a randomly selected group of citizens is brought together to discuss a public issue, hear evidence from experts, deliberate in moderated sessions, and produce recommendations for policymakers. The aim is to create considered input that reflects diverse perspectives beyond party or interest-group channels. Participants usually serve for several days and are supported by facilitators and researchers who help structure the discussion and document the conclusions. The outcomes are typically non-binding but are intended to inform policy debates, improve legitimacy, and test the feasibility of policy options.

Practice and design vary, but common elements include random selection to obtain a representative cross-section of the population, careful briefing of participants on the topic, access to relevant data and expert testimony, small-group deliberations, and a final report or set of recommendations. Deliberations emphasize equality of voice, transparent procedures, and opportunities to question sources of information. Programs are implemented by national or regional governments, parliamentary bodies, universities, or civic organizations and can address a wide range of issues from climate policy to constitutional reform or urban planning.

Impact and critique: supporters argue that burgerberaad can broaden participation, improve the quality of policy choices, and build public trust. Critics point to potential biases in recruitment, the influence of expert or facilitator framing, high costs, and the non-binding nature of recommendations. Debates continue about how to scale, ensure genuine deliberation, and integrate outcomes with formal decision-making processes.