| It‘s the democracy, stupid! |
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed enormous challenges for the state and society in terms of health, the economy, social issues and politics. Randomly selected dialogue forums are intended to help come to terms with the pandemic.
https://www.buergerrat.de/en/news/dialogue-forums-on-covid-19-planned/
What happens when young people are given the space, trust, and respect to rise to the occasion of democratic decision making?
What can our world, characterised by extreme inequality, learn from the emergence of ancient Greek democracy? How and why was the practice of drawing lots introduced into governance there?
In the second edition of the monthly “Democracy Innovation Academy” on March 27, the The Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and the Humanities welcomes Irad Malkin as a special guest, author of the book “Drawing Lots: From Egalitarianism to Democracy in Ancient Greece”.
Following racism and corruption scandals in Los Angeles, the LA Charter Assembly has proposed the introduction of a randomly selected Citizens’ Assembly. The position of chair of the city council is also to be filled by lottery.
https://www.buergerrat.de/en/news/combating-corruption-through-a-citizens-assembly/
Since 20 March 2026, 150 randomly selected citizens from all 27 EU Member States are discussing the topic of preparedness in a Citizens’ Panel.
https://www.buergerrat.de/en/news/eu-seeks-citizens-support-for-preparedness/
In Berlin, a randomly selected Citizens’ Forum will draw up a “Citizens’ Charter for the Olympics” between 14 and 28 March 2026. This is to be incorporated into the state’s bid to host the Olympic Games.
https://www.buergerrat.de/en/news/citizens-charter-for-the-olympics/
In their book „Democracy’s Second Act“, Peter MacLeod and Richard Johnson offer a hopeful, clear-eyed vision for a democracy that builds on creating new institutions that tap into the talents, judgment, and capabilities of ordinary people.
On 8 March 2026, a European Youth Citizens' Assembly in Brussels adopted recommendations for the protection of pollinating insects. Among the proposals is the creation of a permanent Young Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity.
https://www.buergerrat.de/en/news/permanent-mini-public-on-biodiversity-called-for/
In their coalition agreement published on 4 March 2026, the SPD and CDU in Brandenburg agreed to hold a citizens' assembly on the reform of public service broadcasting.
https://www.buergerrat.de/en/news/citizens-assembly-on-public-broadcasting/
On 22 March 2026, twelve parties will contest the state elections in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Four of them promise in their election manifestos to promote citizens' assemblies.
https://www.buergerrat.de/en/news/rhineland-palatinate-four-parties-want-mini-publics/
