The Citizen Assemblies Tool Training of Trainers Training, organized in collaboration with the Council of Europe and Istanbul City Council, took place on October 4-5-6 in Büyükada.
İstanbul, 4 – 6 October 2024
This training, a continuation of the School on Participatory Democracy held in September 2023, provided participants with an interactive learning platform aimed at equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively coordinate, prepare, and implement Citizen Assemblies.
The training began with opening speeches by Cornelia Perle, Senior Program Advisor of the Council of Europe’s Division of Democratic Institutions and Civil Society; Tülin Hadi, President of the Istanbul City Council; and Gaye Uğurlu Fırat, Secretary General of Argüden Governance Academy. The program was led by expert trainers Eva Bördős and Szilvia Zsargó.
The primary focus of the training is the Citizens’ Assemblies tool, which strongly promotes inclusive citizen engagement and can be used on a range of themes pertinent to participatory policymaking at both local and national levels. The aim of the training is to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively coordinate, prepare, and implement Citizens’ Assemblies in Türkiye in the future.
By the end of the training, participants will: have a solid understanding of the structure and different phases of Citizens’ Assemblies, what occurs within them, and how different actors participate; be able to identify and apply the logistical tools and organizational processes necessary for the smooth implementation of Citizens’ Assemblies; possess the skills to effectively coordinate the process and guide other assembly participants, stakeholders, and Citizens’ Assembly members throughout the process; learn effective communication strategies to use with both internal and external stakeholders; and be able to work confidently with facilitators or facilitate sessions themselves.
