The first citizens’ assembly organized by the Atlantic Council of Montenegro (ACM) will be organized in Podgorica this weekend. Representatives of citizens will engage in dialogue amongst themselves and with members of the parliamentary clubs of the Montenegrin Parliament to address topics such as participatory democracy, media policies and literacy, as well as foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

With this initiative, the Atlantic Council of Montenegro aims to establish a bridge between the legislative authorities and the citizens of Montenegro, in order to create a space for open and constructive dialogue that will help normalize citizen participation in the decision-making process.

“Analyzing the political and social context, in the Atlantic Council of Montenegro, we have recognized the need for the introduction and maintenance of the concept of the citizens’ assembly in the socio-political life of Montenegro, primarily to expand existing mechanisms of citizen participation in the decision-making process. Hence, we believe this is the best model for involving citizens, as their voice is crucial for shaping policies that directly involve all of us,” emphasized by the ACM.

The project will involve 50 citizens from across Montenegro, previously selected based on a representative sample, in order to best represent the population of Montenegro, with discussions facilitated by 10 moderators.

On the first day, citizens will be introduced to the concept of the citizens’ assembly, with presentations delivered by experts in the field of participatory democracy. Through group discussions functioning similarly to parliamentary assemblies, citizens will shape their proposals, recommendations, and questions in collaboration with the engaged moderators.

The second day will proceed with a similar dynamic, focusing on media-related topics such as media policies, regulation, self-regulation, media literacy, and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), with introductory lectures by experts in these fields. On the third day of the citizens’ assembly, participants will have the opportunity to convey formulated recommendations and proposals to Montenegrin MPs, allowing for joint refinement.

„We hope that this is just the first in a series of citizens’ assemblies that we will organize in the future. The ACM remains unwavering in the promotion of democracy and Euro-Atlantic values, and we view the citizens’ assembly as a contribution to direct democracy. Therefore, we hope that this concept will become established in the political reality of Montenegro as customary, and by doing so, we will make the first step in establishing a new democratic tradition,” concludes the statement of the Atlantic Council of Montenegro.