Nantes Métropole is convening an online citizens' convention to learn lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. From November 2020 to February 2021, 80 randomly selected citizens will deliberate and present a series of recommendations to the local elected officials.
Problems and Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way of life of many citizens. A wide variety of economic and social measures to address the crises created by the pandemic have been proposed. However, these proposals reveal many tensions about the kind of direction the city should pursue. The objective of the citizens' convention is thus to seek a broader understanding of the citizens' perspective. This deliberative process aims to understand how citizens are experiencing the crisis and how it has impacted their ability to move forward. [1]
Background History and Context
Nantes has a strong tradition of citizen dialogue, as illustrated by three major debates on metropolitan issues organized in recent years by the city. [2] Since the beginning of the health crisis, the Mayor of Nantes and President of Nantes Métropole has observed that citizens have demonstrated their social commitment by helping one another and collectively work at identifying solutions. [3] Building on these experiences, the deliberative process mobilizes the public to reflect on the crisis and the future collectively. Mission Publiques contributes to the process with its expertise developed in its work on several deliberative initiatives, including the Citizen's Convention for the Climate.
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
The project is mandated by the Nantes Métropole region. Missions Publiques supports the design and implementation of the citizens' convention.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
The citizens' convention brings together 80 citizens selected to represent the diversity of the region. These citizens were selected mainly from respondents to a telephone survey on the health crisis conducted from September 10th to 23rd, 2020. From survey respondents who expressed an interest in the process, the survey firm set up a representative panel taking into account demographic, geographic and socio-economic criteria, as well as different perceptions of the health crisis. [4]
Methods and Tools Used
A telephone survey in which 2,301 citizens of the Nantes Métropole region answered questions about their lived experience of the pandemic preceded the citizens' convention. [5] Building on the insights from the survey, a virtual citizens' convention was organized. The convention is based on the citizens' assembly method and provides a space for learning and deliberation. The citizens' convention is using a variety of tools to maintain contact with the general public and the elected officials. For instance, a citizen editorial committee has been created to share information about the convention's work and process. [6] The public is also invited to answer questions proposed by the convention members via a consultation platform. Regarding the relationship with elected officials, an “advisory mirror group” made up of volunteer members ensure that they are kept informed in real-time about the concerns and observations that have been raised. A summary of these meetings with elected officials is published on the convention website. [7]
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
The members of the Nantes Métropole citizens' convention are meeting for four online sessions. [8] During the sessions, it is the members who define the subjects to be investigated, the actors to meet, as well as the questions to be asked to the public. [9] The proposed structure takes the following form:
Session 1: COVID and us (November 13-17, 2020)
This first session was divided into five sessions of 2.5 hours by video conference. Members discuss how they are experiencing the health crisis and the emergency measures introduced by the public authorities, as well as their concerns and hopes.
Members are invited to two sessions during the intersession.
Session 2: Collective exploration (December 11-12, 2020)
The first experts are invited to provide information to the members on the topics that have been identified at the previous session. Members identify the points they would like to explore further and their questions for the general public for the next session.
Members are invited to two other sessions during the intersession.
Session 3: Construction of a collective opinion (22-23 January 2021)
For this third session, the members continue discussing the themes previously identified and hear a series of experts during a "speed dating" activity. They also begin to write the assembly's opinion. [10]
Members are invited to two sessions during the intersession.
Session 4: Finalization of the drafting of the opinion (12-13 February 2021)
This last session aims to finalize the drafting of the opinion and to record the positions and arguments for and against. [11]
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
The members will submit their report to the elected representatives of Nantes Métropole in March 2021. The latter will study their conclusions before responding to the report in June 2021. [12]
Analysis and Lessons Learned
See Also
References
[1] Public missions, The citizen convention of Nantes Métropole, https://missionspubliques.org/pf/la-convention-citoyenne-de-nantes-metropole/.
[2] Public missions, “In these times of crisis, participating democracy must not stop”, Interview with the mayoress Johanna Rolland, https://missionspubliques.org/en-ces-moments-de-crise-la -participatory-democracy-must-not-stop / .
[3] Public missions, "In these times of crisis, participating democracy must not stop", Interview with the mayoress Johanna Rolland, https://missionspubliques.org/en-ces-moments-de-crise-la -participatory-democracy-must-not-stop / .
[4] Nantes Métropole et ville, November 11, 2020, The Nantes citizen convention, https://dialoguecitoyen.metropole.nantes.fr/project/convention/step/convention#membres .
[5] Nantes Métropole et ville, October 15, 2020, Survey on the consequences of the health crisis: the first lessons, https://metropole.nantes.fr/actualites/2020/dialogue-citoyen/enquete-crise-covid.
[6] Public missions, The citizen convention of Nantes Métropole, https://missionspubliques.org/pf/la-convention-citoyenne-de-nantes-metropole/.
[7] Nantes Citizen Convention, A mirror advisory group on crisis management, https://conventioncitoyenne-nantesmetropole.fr/demarche/ .
[8] Nantes Citizens' Convention, The 4 working sessions, https://conventioncitoyenne-nantesmetropole.fr/travaux/#1603793314673-840b6f12-505d .
[9] Public missions, The citizens' convention of Nantes Métropole, https://missionspubliques.org/pf/la-convention-citoyenne-de-nantes-metropole/.
[10] Nantes Citizens' Convention, The 4 working sessions, https://conventioncitoyenne-nantesmetropole.fr/travaux/#1603793314673-840b6f12-505d.
[11] Nantes Citizen Convention, The 4 working sessions, https://conventioncitoyenne-nantesmetropole.fr/travaux/#1603793314673-840b6f12-505d.
[12] Nantes Citizens' Convention, The approach, https://conventioncitoyenne-nantesmetropole.fr/demarche/.
External Links
Notes
This initiative is underway. The text will be updated at the end of the process.