Citizen Assemblies - Policy without Politics

Join us for an unmissable day of bold ideas, honest conversations, and fresh thinking about the future of democracy.

At a time when trust in traditional politics is at a low, this conference brings together leading voices to explore a new way forward – one that puts everyday citizens at the heart of decision-making.

Throughout the day, you’ll hear from some of the most influential thinkers and practitioners in the field. Program overview:

• Welcome from the chair – Elizabeth Farrelly (Director of The Better Cities Initiative)
• Problems and failings of representative democracy as we know it – Nick Gruen
• What is deliberative democracy, and how does it work? Recent international experience’ – Iain Walker
• The place for CAs in Australia – where do they best fit? – Jay Weatherill
• Panel session with Jay Weatherill – How deliberative democracy might be used to benefit Australia, and some of the challenges in implementing it.
• Presentation by David Van Reybrouck, author of the influential book “Against Elections – the Case For Democracy”
• The Australian experience so far – Emma Fletcher
• Ways forward for deliberative democracy in Australia – A panel session involving all the day’s speakers.

Expect thought-provoking presentations, dynamic panel sessions, and the chance to engage with ideas that could reshape our political future.

If you're ready to think differently about democracy, this is the conference for you.

Visit the CAfSA conference website for further details on the presenters.