The Recommendation CM/Rec(2023)6 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on Deliberative Democracy, adopted on 6 September 2023, has become the first international standard in this field.
The Recommendation contributes to the implementation of the Reykjavik Principles for Democracy, in which member States have committed to “actively enable and encourage DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION at national, regional and local levels through free and fair elections. As appropriate, forms of participatory democracy, including deliberative democracy, may be encouraged”.
Citizen participation is at the core of a genuine democracy. In recent years, declining trust in democratic institutions has turned attention to new ways to engage citizens. Deliberative democracy does not seek to replace traditional democracy, but instead it aims to enhance and inform existing democratic practises through active involvement of citizens in decision-making in different policy areas. Some member States have already explored and implemented successfully innovative deliberative practices, such as citizens' assemblies, citizen juries, and town hall meetings, both at the local and national levels.
For those member states who choose to undertake or promote this kind of citizen participation, Recommendation CM/Rec(2023)6 provides principles in accordance with which any deliberative process should be conducted. These principles cover such matters as the availability of legal framework, clarity of mandate and design, fair representation, and accountability. By adhering to these principles, member states can safeguard the integrity and effectiveness of such initiatives, and ensure that deliberative processes can complement representative democracy.
The Recommendation was developed by the European Committee on Democracy and Governance (CDDG) and is based on the findings of the Report on Deliberative Democracy, also prepared by the CDDG.
Marja Ruotanen, Director General of Democracy and Human Dignity (DGII)
Since September 2022, it has been my privilege to lead our efforts in promoting democracy, participation, good governance, equality, diversity, inclusion, and human dignity across Europe.
Together with my team, we are placing special emphasis on reinforcing the foundations of democracy, amplifying its benefits, and innovating its forms through the New Democratic Pact for Europe.
Promoting gender equality and the integration of a youth perspective in policy and decision making is central to our efforts to foster an open and inclusive Europe where every voice is respected, and human rights are fully protected.
I invite you to explore our ongoing work to build a more democratic, equitable and dignified Europe for all.
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What we do?
The Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity (“DGII”) supports the Council of Europe in fields which are vital for the sustainability of democracy:
- ensuring respect for human dignity without discrimination on the basis of human rights standards;
- improving the functioning of democratic institutions;
- and strengthening the democratic competencies of Europe’s citizens and their willingness to engage in the democratic process and promoting respect for diversity in Europe’s societies, in a spirit of solidarity and tolerance, based on the human rights and legal standards of the Council of Europe.
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