| What is the Australian Citizens' Parliament about? |
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150 randomly selected citizens will deliberate, then deliver their recommendations at Old Parliament House, Canberra on February 06-09, 2009. Their task is to answer the question: "How can Australia's political system be strengthened to serve us better?" The mission of deliberative processes like the Australian Citizens' Parliament is to change the way we talk about politics and make political decisions. 
It starts by including Australians from all walks of life, of diverse attitudes and beliefs who experience current government policy and political organisation every day. While some may be experts in administration, law or economics, there are many more who also hold thoughtful perspectives about politics. Through random selection we invite a full range of views to a group that is small enough to have a reasonable and lively conversation. This project will add to the growing, worldwide evidence that deliberating citizens have the collective capacity to competently inform public policy. Add professional facilitation to hold an open space for dialogue and deliberative problem solving. Participants can feel confident to communicate with a commitment to mutual respect, social inclusion, empathy, idea exploration, learning and honest reflection. A family story from a country town may jolt a business woman to ask a question that leads an inner-city pensioner to make a new connection between policy and social condition. It's an environment where quiet idiosyncrasy and innovation are welcomed as ideas get shared and mixed. Common ground is celebrated but consensus is never pressed. A set of recommendations relevant to the question will be formulated and presented by participants. They can recognise the strengths of our governing institutions, but also respond to issues such as the limitations imposed by the election cycle and the influence of special interests, and cover reforms that have widespread and sustainable benefit.
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