Gipuzkoa Citizens’ Assembly kicked-off with 32 Gipuzkoa citizens
This pioneering deliberative process seeks the meaningful involvement of citizens in public policy making
The Gipuzkoa Citizens’ Assembly started last weekend. After months of work, 32 Gipuzkoans selected by civic lottery met in the Orona spaces in Hernani (Gipuzkoa) to hold the first deliberative sessions, which took place on Friday afternoon and on Saturday. The initiative is promoted by the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, Arantzazulab and Telesforo Monzon eLab, with the support of international organisations specialising in deliberative processes (OECD and Deliberativa).
It is a pionerring deliberative process as it is the first time that a process of this kind has been implemented in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. The Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa saw the need to gather the citizens’ voices on a challenge for the future of the primary sector. Therefore, the question on which the participants are deliberating is: ‘How can we guarantee agricultural activity in Gipuzkoa in order to face the climate emergency?’
The Citizens’ Assembly directly involves citizens in the deliberation on the future of agricultural activity and the climate emergency; and around this challenge, it aims to make recommendations to the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa. The inaugural session was opened by Eider Mendoza, Deputy for Governance of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, who highlighted the commitment adopted by the Provincial Council and the relevance that this process has on governance innovation. Naiara Goia, Arantzazulab Managing Director; Unai Pascual, representative of Telesforo Monzon eLab; and Arantxa Mendiharat, member of Deliberativa, presented the process framework and details.
The representatives of organisations promoting the initiative thanked the Citizens’ Assembly members for their willingness to participate in this innovative, demanding and complex process, in which Aztiker and Artaziak act as facilitators of the sessions. Furthermore, the Parte-Hartuz research group of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) act as external observers to evaluate the deliberation process and guarantee that the deliberative process is carried out in accordance with the best practice principles. They also evaluate and measure the experience of the involved stakeholders, of the citizens, as well as the impact that the initiative will have on the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa.
The first weekend’s objective was to introduce the context and associated challenges in the topics related to the question, in order for citizens to gather the knowledge that will inform the deliberation. One of the singularities that characterise these processes lies in informing citizens so that the deliberation is rigorous and they can establish the basis for writing their recommendations. Another key element is to ensure that citizens receive as plural and neutral information as possible on the challenge they will be deliberating on. The content areas covered in the first session were the following: the situation of the primary sector (agriculture, livestock and forestry) and its technical, economic and social characteristics; the services provided by the sector; the challenges and difficulties of the sector; potential future scenarios and their possible impacts on society and the territory; risks and responsibilities in facing climate change; farmers and forestry lived experiences.
The following speakers participated:
- Mikel Azpiri, Head of Agro-livestock Promotion and Health Service (Gipuzkoa Provincial Council)
- Ismael Mondragón, Head of the Forest Service (Gipuzkoa Provincial Council)
- Aitor Onaindia, Basoa Fundazioa
- Leire Barañano, Neiker
- Arturo Elosegi, Professor of Ecology at the Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
- Inma Iriondo, Shepherdess, Urnieta
- Jokin Arrospide, Mahala farm, Leaburu
- Nekane Amondarain, Forest owner and manager of Arotzgi (Gipuzkoa Carpenters’ Employers’ Association)
- Jone Maioz, Forest owner, Director of the Association of Forest Owners of Gipuzkoa
Next session: In Tabakalera, 25-26 November
Participants will meet for a total of 4 weekends. Until January and for 40 hours, they will develop a deep deliberation process. The next meeting will be in Tabakalera, Donostia on the 25th and 26th of November. In this session they will continue to receive information from experts on the proposed question by Gipuzkoa Provincial Council.
The relevance and impact of the Citizens’ Assembly
This deliberation initiative, considered by Arantzazulab as a pioneering experience in our country, allows experimenting with new models of relationship between public institutions and citizens. It involves citizens in some strategic public decision making in the territory. Two Citizens’ Assemblies promoted by Arantzazulab are currently underway: one in Tolosa and the other one in Gipuzkoa. Both processes, which focus on deliberative democracy, are having a great impact both locally and internationally. Experts in the field and stakeholders from other European countries are closely following these two Citizens’ Assemblies. This allows us to share knowledge and place our territory as a leader in this field internationally.
