Thorsten Sterk
@thorstensterk.bsky.social
It‘s the democracy, stupid! www.buergerrat.de/en
What the white sclera of the human eye may have to do with the success of citizens’ assemblies #CitizensAssembly
The gaze that makes democracy possible
What the white sclera of the human eye may have to do with the success of citizens’ assemblies
mehr-demokratie.de
Why are humans the only animals with white eyes? The answer may explain how we learned to cooperate without speaking.
Why We are the ONLY Animals with White Eyes
YouTube video by The Curious Ape
youtu.be
Why are humans the only animals with white eyes? The answer may explain how we learned to cooperate without speaking.
Why We are the ONLY Animals with White Eyes
YouTube video by The Curious Ape
youtu.be
The past preserves what survived instead of what mattered most.
#3 The Greatest Achievement in Human History May Be Lost Forever
The past preserves what survived instead of what mattered most.
michaelbutton.substack.com
Why do civilizations collapse? How much of human history is missing? How much of modern civilization do we misunderstand? What are we wrong about right now?
#1 The Question Behind Everything
Why do civilizations collapse? How much of human history is missing? How much of modern civilization do we misunderstand? What are we wrong about right now?
michaelbutton.substack.com
How can we achieve climate policy that is both effective and has the support of society? The Ariadne Citizens’ Deliberation addressed this question over a period of three years. #CitizensAssembly
Climate action, yes – but it must be fair
How can we develop climate policy that is both effective and has the support of society? The Ariadne Citizens’ Deliberation addressed this question over a period of three years.
mehr-demokratie.de
In the US state of Connecticut, a Citizens’ Assembly is examining property tax reform. The members of the assemblies, selected by lot, have a great deal of freedom in determining the process and formulating recommendations. #CitizensAssembly
„We are giving them the keys"
In the US state of Connecticut, a Citizens’ Assembly is examining property tax reform. The members of the mini-public have a great deal of freedom in determining the process and formulating recommenda...
mehr-demokratie.de
Following a Citizens’ Assembly, the French National Assembly passed a law on 15 July 2026 legalising assisted dying and assisted suicide in France. #CitizensAssembly
France legalises assisted dying following a citizens’ assembly
Following a Citizens’ Assembly, the French National Assembly passed a law on 15 July 2026 legalising assisted dying and assisted suicide in France.
mehr-demokratie.de
What will a sustainable hospital provision look like in the Regen district? This question was the focus of the public dialogue “ARBERLANDKliniken 2035”. #CitizensAssembly
Citizen proposals on hospitals in the Regen district
What will a sustainable hospital provision look like in the Regen district? This question was the focus of the public consultation ‘ARBERLANDKliniken 2035’.
mehr-demokratie.de
How should a local authority use artificial intelligence without losing sight of transparency, data protection and democratic oversight? A Civic Assembly in Snohomish County, USA, has been examining this question. #CitizensAssembly
Civic Assembly develops AI guidelines for local government
How should a local authority use artificial intelligence without losing sight of transparency, data protection and democratic oversight? A Civic Assembly in Snohomish County, USA, has been examining t...
mehr-demokratie.de
A randomly selected Citizens' Panel on Good Life brought together 30 people from across society to form a ‘mini-Estonia’ and together explore how they could reimagine societal priorities through the lens of wellbeing for both people and the planet. #CitizensAssembly
Hea elu rahvakogu – kuidas keerulistes küsimustes leida ühisosa
YouTube video by Mõttekoda Praxis
youtu.be
On 15 July 2026, DemocracyNext launches „From Projects to Permanence: Citizens’ Assemblies as New Democratic Institutions in Cities and Regions“, a paper reflecting on the lessons from DemocracyNext’s Cities Programme, advising two cities and two regions across three continents. #CitizensAssembly
🌆 You’re invited! Establishing citizens’ assemblies as institutions in cities & regions
Join us on 15 July as we launch our final Cities Programme paper on institutionalising deliberative democracy in cities & regions
demnext.substack.com
For the North Sea island of Sylt, the high number of tourists is becoming an increasing burden. Randomly selected residents are working together with other stakeholders to develop a tourism strategy for the future. #CitizensAssembly
Citizens help shape Sylt's tourism strategy
For the North Sea island of Sylt, the high number of tourists is becoming an increasing burden. Randomly selected residents are working together with other stakeholders to develop a tourism strategy f...
mehr-demokratie.de
In its latest paper, the international research and action network DemocracyNext asks how DelibTech can strengthen citizens’ capacities to deliberate? Find out on 9 July at 5 p.m. CEST at the online launch! #CitizensAssembly
Deliberative Muscles & AI
In our latest paper, we ask how can DelibTech strengthen citizens’ capacities to deliberate? Find out on 9 July at 17:00 CEST at the online launch
demnext.substack.com
What needs to change in Berlin so that women and men can live on an equal footing? From July through October 2026, randomly selected residents of the German capital will explore this question. #CitizensAssembly
Citizens' Forum develops proposals for gender equality goals
What needs to change in Berlin so that women and men can live on an equal footing? From July through October 2026, randomly selected residents of the German capital will explore this question.
mehr-demokratie.de
History is full of people who completely missed the biggest transformations of their age. So what if we are doing the same thing today?
Something Important Just Changed. Most People Missed It
YouTube video by Michael Button | Patterns of History
youtu.be
Why do some societies descend into civil war while others remain stable?
Scientists Found A Warning Sign Before Civil Wars
YouTube video by Michael Button | Patterns of History
youtu.be
“Intergenerational Public Services” was the theme of the first statewide Citizens’ Assembly in North Rhine-Westphalia. On June 25, 2026, the members of the Citizens’ Assembly presented their recommendations to State Parliament President André Kuper. #CitizensAssembly
Citizens’ assembly recommends care chatbot
“Intergenerational Public Services” was the theme of the first statewide Citizens’ Assembly in North Rhine-Westphalia. On June 25, 2026, the members of the Citizens’ Assembly presented their recommend...
mehr-demokratie.de
On June 18, 2026, the Brandenburg State Parliament resolved to establish a Citizens’ Assembly to reform public broadcasting. #CitizensAssembly
Citizens' assembly on public broadcasting
On June 18, 2026, the Brandenburg State Parliament passed a resolution to establish a Citizens’ Assembly to reform public broadcasting.
mehr-demokratie.de
The second edition of Democracy R&D’s annual report, “The Year in Deliberation”, examines five emerging trends shaping the debates. It also features 13 interviews with members of the Global Citizens’ Assemblies Network. democracyrd.org/annual-repor... #CitizensAssembly
Do multilingual citizens’ assemblies work, and how? Find out the answers at a DemocracyNext online event on 11 June. #CitizensAssembly
Do Multilingual Citizens’ Assemblies Work?
Join us on 11 June to find out as we launch two new papers and hear lessons from the field
demnext.substack.com
What are the barriers towards implementing a permanent Citizens’ Assembly in local government? This question the Nordic Deliberation Network hopes to explore together in the next Nordic Deliberation learning call on June 10. #CitizensAssembly
Nordic Deliberation Learning Call: The road to institutionalizing citizen gatherings in municipalities - We Do Democracy
wedodemocracy.com
„We think we reinvented democracy in the 18th century, but we didn’t. We invented a form of legitimate oligarchy based on popular consent“, political scientist @landemore.bsky.social says in an interview with DemocracyNext CEO @cchwalisz.bsky.social. #CitizensAssembly
Politics Without Politicians: A conversation with Hélène Landemore
On civic love, citizen governance, and why democracy isn't broken - we've just been doing it wrong
demnext.substack.com
For a long time, Hamburg was the only German state where a mini-public had never been held. That changed in 2026. #CitizensAssembly
First mini-public in Hamburg
For a long time, Hamburg was the only German state where a mini-public had never been held. That changed in 2026.
mehr-demokratie.de
The city of Brussels successfully used random selection to solve a mediaeval crisis – and could do so again. Great read from @hughpope.bsky.social www.linkedin.com/pulse/sortit... #CitizensAssembly
Sortition goes back further in Brussels than many people think
The city successfully used random selection to solve a mediaeval crisis – and could do so again Sortition – the random selection of groups of people to study, deliberate and decide on a disputed topic...
linkedin.com
Flensburg is the first local authority in Schleswig-Holstein to hold a Citizens’ Jury followed by a local referendum. On 30 May 2026, the mini-public adopted 29 recommendations on the future of transport in the Baltic Sea city. #CitizensAssembly
Citizens’ jury with referendum in Flensburg
Flensburg is the first local authority in Schleswig-Holstein to hold a Citizens’ Jury followed by a local referendum. On 30 May 2026, the mini-public adopted 29 recommendations on the future of transp...
buergerrat.de
On 30 May 2026, the “Rheinisches Revier” Citizens’ Assembly has started, providing residents with an opportunity to play an active role in shaping their region and to put forward ideas for structural change. www.buergerrat.de/en/news/shap... #CitizensAssembly
Shaping the future in the Rhineland mining area
Since 30 May 2026, the “Rheinisches Revier” Citizens’ Assembly has been meeting, providing residents with an opportunity to play an active role in shaping their region and to put forward ideas for str...
buergerrat.de
In December 2025, the Netherlands’ first national Citizens’ Climate Assembly had presented 13 recommendations to the government. On 29 May 2026, the government announced that it would implement at least half of the citizens’ proposals. #CitizensAssembly
'Your voice has been heard'
In December 2025, the Netherlands’ first national Citizens’ Climate Assembly had presented 13 recommendations to the government. On 29 May 2026, the government announced that it would implement at lea...
buergerrat.de
In autumn 2026, a randomly selected Citizens’ Panel will discuss measures to strengthen democracy in the European Union (EU). Until the end of the year, anyone interested can submit their questions and ideas on the subject online and at events dedicated to the topic. #CitizsensAssembly
EU Citizens’ Panel to strengthen democracy
In autumn 2026, a randomly selected Citizens’ Panel will discuss measures to strengthen democracy in the European Union (EU). Until the end of the year, all EU residents can submit their questions and...
buergerrat.de
