Communities across the world are recognising the importance of involving members of the public in helping make important and difficult decisions. A Citizens’ Jury or Community Jury (larger processes are commonly known as Citizens’ Assemblies) brings together a diverse group of between 20 and 40 members of the public, who are usually randomly chosen. They work through an issue, share ideas and eventually come up with a set of recommendations that represent the democratic voice of the community, and that will be used to affect change.
Many people are switched off from politics today. But, when people are given the time, space and information (from a variety of sources) through the process of a Community Jury, experience shows that members of the public will develop sensible and well-informed recommendations.