The 15th meeting of the European Committee on Democracy and Governance (CDDG) took place on 21-22 April 2022 in Strasbourg, in a hybrid format.
In the current context of instability, hostility, and democratic backsliding in Europe, the current specific tasks of the CDDG to develop a recommendation on principles of good democratic governance and to work on deliberative and participatory democracy are well suited to enhance people’s trust in democratic institutions and processes and boost participation in public life.
In the last years, a growing number of Council of Europe member States have been looking at ways to strengthen their democratic processes. Dr Andy Williamson, Council of Europe Expert, presented a “Study on Deliberative Democracy”, highlighting that deliberative democracy clearly has the potential to foster trust and participation in policy making, provided deliberative processes are transparent, auditable and accountable.
Mr Art O'Leary, Secretary General of the Electoral Commission and Secretary to the Citizens' Assembly of Ireland, presented his country’s experience with deliberative processes, as the country had been conducting several citizens assemblies. Randomised participant selection, defining a clear scope, and developing mechanisms to ensure that findings appropriately feed into policy making, were among good practices highlighted. Mr George Papandreou, Chair of the sub-committee on Democracy, Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly presented recent work by PACE and highlighted the potential of digital technology and innovation in designing participatory processes and recalled the diversity of democratic traditions in member States.
The CDDG also discussed a draft Recommendation on Principles of Good Democratic Governance applicable to all levels of government, building on the 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance at local level.
In addition, the CDDG also held exchanges of views with Mr Viacheslav NEHODA, Deputy Minister for Communities and Territorial Development of Ukraine, about the situation and work of local communities and authorities in the context of war; with Ms Mzia GIORGOBIANI, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, on regional developments and the decentralisation process in her country as well as with Mr Dumitru UDREA, General Secretary of the Government, Republic of Moldova, on reforms in the contexts of current economic and geographical challenges.
