MEMBERS of the public are to be given the chance to debate the Scottish government's plans to establish a Citizens' Assembly.
At an event hosted by Edinburgh University and the Electoral Reform Society on July 8, a panel of speakers including SNP MP Joanna Cherry, former Labour MEP David Martin, and representatives of the Irish Citizens' Assembly, will discuss how citizens' assemblies work in general, and how one would function in Scotland.
Proposals for a Scottish Citizens' Assembly were announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in April this year, with the aim of exploring some of the major challenges facing the country.
The Assembly will be broadly representative of Scotland's adult population, comprising of 120 members of the public being selected at random to serve.
Meetings of the Assembly would be held on six weekends between the late autumn and spring of 2020.
Around 200 people have so far signed up to attend the debate, which will be held at the University of Edinburgh.
Electoral Reform Society (ERS), who run deliberative community events, has welcomed the Government's plans for a Citizens' Assembly, but have stated that getting the process right is essential.
ERS Scotland director, Willie Sullivan, said: "The huge appetite for this event shows that Scots are keen to find out more about a new model for democracy here.
"Old fashioned party politics and binary divides have failed to provide solutions that Scots can unite around.
"Citizens' assemblies offer a way to ensure deep, informed public involvement on big and often contentious political issues - finding a positive way forward based on cooperation."
He added: "How a citizens' assembly is organised must reflect the principles of public participation and openness that characterise 'deliberative' democracy.
"There is a lot of work to do in making sure the Scottish people see the assembly as the trusted, independent institution that it should be.
"We are glad the government are keen to hear from across society.
"This event must be the first of many such discussions, as society begins to set out a vision for Scotland's constitutional future."
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