Resource Bank

Model Citizens’ Assembly

Rating: 3/3

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A Model Citizens’ Assembly is one of the finest, concentrated learning experiences that a school or community can ever undertake. Your Jury will broadly represent the many different sectors of your community (being sure to represent those experiencing inequalities) and an Assembly (a diverse audience of interested observers). The Assembly will listen and question witnesses who present arguments for and against the choice being explored.

A Model Citizen’s Assembly (MCA) can be held to explore any issue – from putting a water fountain in a local park, to important global issues including existential threats that could wipe out humanity forever. The purpose of every Assembly is identical: to enable communities, and individuals, to come to informed decisions on challenging issues and to create action points. They are an alternative to Model UNs, designed to be simpler to organise and manage. MCAs allow participants to deep dive into a single issue and develop community understandings.

Resource

Model Citizens’ Assembly

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