Deliberative Democracy 101
Concepts
Citizens’ Assemblies: groups of everyday people, selected by lottery, who meet to learn, deliberate, and make recommendations on complex policy issues.
Sortition (Democratic Lottery): the random selection of participants to ensure that a deliberative process reflects the diversity of the population — fair, representative, and free from political bias.
Deliberation: A structured exchange of views where participants listen, learn, and reason together to find common ground and make informed choices anchored in collective intelligence
Cases
Ostbelgien, Belgium: the world’s first permanent Citizens’ Council embedded in parliament
Ireland: national Citizens’ Assemblies led to referenda on marriage equality and abortion
Canada: Early leaders in sortition, with citizens’ assemblies on electoral reform in British Columbia and Ontario
Bogotá, Colombia: deliberative processes shaping urban and youth policies
Paris, France: citywide and permanent “Paris Citizens’ Assembly” selected by lottery helps shape urban polic
About Democracy R&D 2025
From October 14-17 the Democracy R&D 2025 Conference brings together leading practitioners, researchers, public servants, and advocates of deliberative democracy. Held in the heart of Brussels, this year’s edition will explore the theme Crossroads - a call to reimagine how we persevere in the practice of democracy faced by increasing autocratisation, polarization, and faltering of legitimacy.
Belgium is a fitting host — not just geographically, but politically. With its pioneering work on permanent assemblies and institutionalized deliberation, the country offers fertile ground for these conversations.
This year, the world’s largest international gathering focused on citizen participation and deliberative practice takes place in the heart of the EU – offering a rare opportunity for Brussels-based policymakers, EU institutions, and high-level civil servants to connect with democratic innovators from over 40 countries.
Learn more about the programme here.
Why should you attend?
Get inspired by real-world examples of democratic innovation that work.
Meet the practitioners who design citizens’ assemblies across Europe and beyond.
Explore how deliberation can help address polarisation, policy deadlocks, and public distrust.
Join sessions open to political leaders designed to fit your schedule.
Participate in networking opportunities with global experts and leading practitioners
Pre - Programme
On October 13, we invite politicians, civil servants, and Brussels-based professionals to join a high-level pre-programme session focused on the state of democracy in Europe and beyond.
This compact afternoon gathering will offer a diagnostic of democratic developments, highlight the lessons of the past year, and open discussion on how Europe can lead by example — not only through policies, but by reforming and strengthening its democratic systems.
It’s an opportunity for institutional actors and EU policymakers to engage directly with democracy experts and practitioners in a candid, timely conversation.
15:45–16:00 | Opening Remarks
16:00–16:15 | Introduction: The State of Democracy – Europe and the World
16:15–17:15 | Panel 1: What Have We Learned This Year?
A critical look at the diagnostic of democracy, drawing on insights from across Europe and globally
17:15–17:30 | Break
17:30–18:30 | Panel 2: What Should Europe Do?
How can Europe become a credible force for democracy globally? What institutional reforms and new tools are needed to renew democracy from within?
Curious to learn more or attend Tuesday’s open events?
Visit our X page
Or reach out to us at contact@drd2025.org to register your interest.