A new democratic future is possible

The latest from PDLA

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Decidim presentation by Guillaume Saunier from Voca.city

On Nov 20 Guillaume Saunier of Octree gave a preliminary presentation ofthe Decidim software package for implementing democratic processes to PDLA. Octree is a non-profit based in Geneva, Switzerland, which provides support to users of the Decidim platform for patcicipatory democracy through Voca.city organization.

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Facilitating LA’s First Mock Mini-Civic Assembly

On Sept 28 PDLA and Democracy Vouchers presented at Congress of Neighborhoods at Los Angeles City Hall to an about 25 people. The presentation included an exercise in selecting a civic problem (housing) and developing a proposed solution.

PDLA holds mock assembly exercise

PDLA held a mock assembly exercise on zoom on Sept. 4. The topic was the Housing First policy.

Bringing a Civic Assembly to Los Angeles

Los Angeles contains many strengths as a city, that make for a more representative, equitable, and responsive democracy.

Yet, structural barriers stand in the way of this future: Systemic Underrepresentation; Regulatory Capture, Exclusionary Public Input.

Civic Assemblies are a different kind of democratic process that bring together a group of everyday people to tackle difficult policy questions.

Civid Assemblies draw on the city’s creativity, diversity, and participatory spirit to reimagine democracy, putting people at the center of governance.

Why are democracies around the globe turning to civic assemblies?

  • Improve Representation

    Unlike most community input processes we are used to today, Citizens’ Assemblies are a representative cross-section, including people of all backgrounds.

  • Rebuild Trust

    Citizens’ Assemblies are made of of regular people, who have no political or financial interest in decision-making. They can put expert input and what’s best for the community first and foremost

  • Find Consensus

    By bringing members of the community together, Citizens’ Assemblies help build consensus across divisive political issues.

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"Change does happen with civic assemblies."

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"Change does happen with civic assemblies." •

Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Chair of Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss

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