Inclusion and Representation in Citizen Assemblies

In citizen assemblies, ensuring inclusion and representation is crucial. In the German-speaking part of Belgium, for example, a two-tier lottery system is used to select participants. The first step is a random sample, where invitations are sent to a large number of addresses. The response rate is around 11.5%, and those who respond positively move on to the second step. In the second step, a stratified sample is used to ensure a more diverse representation, taking into account criteria such as gender, age, location, and education level. The goal is to have a wide range of participants that reflect the demographic makeup of society as closely as possible. Additionally, providing incentives such as financial compensation, childcare services, and transportation can help increase participation and make it more appealing to a diverse range of individuals. While it may not be perfect, this approach strives to improve the representativeness and inclusion of citizen assemblies compared to traditional electoral systems.