Three citizens assemblies held across the Maldives to respond to climate change.
Problems and Purpose
As part of developing a National Manifesto on the Environment and Climate Action, three climate assemblies were held across the Maldives in Addu, Malé and Haa Alif Atoll. It was hoped these assemblies will also assist in developing Environmental Citizenship. [1]
Background History and Context
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
The citizens' assemblies were funded and delivered by ECOCARE and the National Democratic Institute.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
Methods and Tools Used
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
Each of the citizens' assemblies went for three days and included expert presentations, plenary sessions and small group discussions. The dates for the citizens assemblies were 26-28 February 2023 (Addu), 17-19 June 2023 (Malé) and 11-14 November 2023 (Haa Alif Atoll). 37 people participated in the Addu assembly, but the number of participants for the other two assemblies have not been published. The Addu assembly was structured in the following way: Day 1 involved expert presentations and citizens could choose which experts they wanted to engage with based on their topic preference. Day 2 involved deliberation from the discussions the previous day and initial drafting of recommendations. Day 3 involved voting for the recommendations and 53 recommendations were ranked and passed onto organisers. [2] Information about the other two assemblies is unavailable, but it is likely that they followed a similar approach.
A key focus of the assemblies were for participants to share their experiences and perspectives for deliberation to produce recommendations.
An advisory body of key stakeholders from the community, businesses, government and other relevant experts guided the process. They met once a month during 2023 and helped to gather data and provide feedback to support the project and disseminating the outcomes. [3]
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
Analysis and Lessons Learned
See Also
References
[1] Ecocare (n.d.) Climate Assembly in the Maldives [website]. Accessed at: https://www.climateassembly.mv/theproject
[2] Ecocare (n.d.) Southern Maldives. Accessed at: https://www.climateassembly.mv/projects/southern-maldives
[3] Ecocare (n.d.) Climate Assembly in the Maldives [website]. Accessed at: https://www.climateassembly.mv/theproject