Citizen input sought to respond to issue of garbage disposal in public spaces and how to make Fortaleza a cleaner space for everyone.
Problems and Purpose
Participants were asked to respond to the question "How can we make Fortaleza a cleaner city for everyone?"
Solid waste disposal (such as building materials and furniture) is an issue in many Brazilian cities, but it seems to be more prominent in Fortaleza where public disposal of items is a habit. So, not only was this an attempt to practically remedy improper waste disposal, but it was also an attempt to highlight the importance of "sustainable consumption habits". [1] & [2]
Background History and Context
This initiative came about from a joint effort between newDemocracy Foundation and the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) about 'doing democracy differently'. This involved newDemocracy Foundation creating a handbook that showcases how various developing nations practice democracy outside of elections and in ways that are suited to their unique contexts. This involves three pilot projects, one of which was Conselho de Cidadãos. [3]
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
Commissioned by local government. Funded by UNDEF and newDemocracy Foundation.
Delibera Brasil and newDemocracy Foundation delivered the initiative.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
40 participants took part in the citizens' council. They were randomly chosen through civic lottery with the help of software. [4]
Methods and Tools Used
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
Prior to recruiting participants, the Delibera Brasil met with a reference group of key stakeholders from the involved organisations and departments. The reference group was given an information booklet about the issue, and the same booklet was given to participants. [5]
Participants met for five full-day meetings at the end of 2019 where they were asked to consider what their experiences have been regarding the issue and reflections in council's attempts to remedy it. During these deliberations, participants made recommendations for the council about how to respond to the waste disposal issue. [6]
These meetings involved hearing from sanitation workers, councilors, and recycling experts and having "speed dialogues" with technicians. [7]
It also involved critically analysing the council's "status quo solution" which was discounting citizens' energy bills whenever they dropped something off at a disposal point. (This approach did not work for a variety of reasons, including disposal points being too far away and not all citizens have cars to be able to use them). [8]
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
19 recommendations came out of the deliberations and were contained in a final report presented to council. These recommendations included more accessible recycling points, providing citizens with cash for recycling instead of reducing their energy bills, and asking having sanitation workers dispose of items at disposal points that are only reachable by car. [9]
The Institute of Planning Fortaleza set up six technical meetings in early 2020 where people from the municipality and deliberative reference group could further discuss these recommendations. In March 2020 the Implementation Proposal was officially presented by the Mayor to the Councilors. [10]
The pandemic happened shortly after the proposals were delivered, meaning they were not implemented, but the councilors were still committed to the proposals and were looking into holding another citizens' council. [11]
Analysis and Lessons Learned
The process resulted in positive responses to involving citizens in deliberative processes and decision-making, instilling trust in citizens' abilities to make appropriate and thoughtful recommendations. [12]
See Also
Summary of citizens' council: https://www.newdemocracy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Suma%CC%81rio-ExecutivoConselho-Cidada%CC%83o-de-Fortaleza.pdf
Latinno Database entry: https://latinno.net/en/case/3409/
newDemocracy overview: https://www.newdemocracy.com.au/2018/10/17/united-nations-democracy-fund-democracy-beyond-elections/
References
[1] newDemocracy Foundation (n.d.) United Nations Democracy Fund: Democracy Beyond Elections. Accessed at: https://www.newdemocracy.com.au/2018/10/17/united-nations-democracy-fund-democracy-beyond-elections/
[2] Nerssessian, J. (April 19, 2021) Could a Citizens' Assembly Help Fix Your Democracy? Reasons to be Cheerful. Accessed at: https://reasonstobecheerful.world/citizens-assemblies-democracy-potential/
[3] newDemocracy Foundation (n.d.) United Nations Democracy Fund: Democracy Beyond Elections. Accessed at: https://www.newdemocracy.com.au/2018/10/17/united-nations-democracy-fund-democracy-beyond-elections/
[4] Latinno (n.d.) Citizen Council of Fortaleza. Accessed at: https://latinno.net/en/case/3409/
[5] Delibera Brasil (n.d.) Fortaleza Citizens Council. Accessed at: https://deliberabrasil.org/projetos/conselho-cidadao-de-fortaleza/
[6] Westminster Foundation for Democracy (n.d.) An introduction t deliberative democracy for members of parliament. Accessed at: https://www.wfd.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/WFD_newDemocracy_An-introduction-to-deliberative-democracy-for-members-of-parliament_2021.pdf
[7] Delibera Brasil (n.d.) Fortaleza Citizens Council. Accessed at: https://deliberabrasil.org/projetos/conselho-cidadao-de-fortaleza/
[8] Nerssessian, J. (April 19, 2021) Could a Citizens' Assembly Help Fix Your Democracy? Reasons to be Cheerful. Accessed at: https://reasonstobecheerful.world/citizens-assemblies-democracy-potential/
[9] Ibid.
[10] Westminster Foundation for Democracy (n.d.) An introduction t deliberative democracy for members of parliament. Accessed at: https://www.wfd.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/WFD_newDemocracy_An-introduction-to-deliberative-democracy-for-members-of-parliament_2021.pdf
[11] Nerssessian, J. (April 19, 2021) Could a Citizens' Assembly Help Fix Your Democracy? Reasons to be Cheerful. Accessed at: https://reasonstobecheerful.world/citizens-assemblies-democracy-potential/
[12] Ibid.