Professor Graham Smith from the Centre for the Study of Democracy in Social Sciences led a two-day Spring School on Climate Citizens’ Assemblies in Milan between 27-28 April.
The Spring School was organised as part of his work chairing the Knowledge Network on Climate Assemblies (KNOCA) in collaboration with the Federation for Innovation in Democracy – Europe (FIDE).
Based in the stunning Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli building in Milan, the two-day event attracted over 60 practitioners, policy officials and activists from across Europe and beyond who are interested in commissioning, designing, delivering or advocating for climate assemblies.
The programme took participants through the challenges of organising and running a climate assembly, with plenary sessions focused on setting the remit, recruitment, selecting and presenting evidence, governance and embedding and institutionalising assemblies. Participants were able to deep dive into workshops on involving children and young people, engaging stakeholders, empowering members after assemblies and the challenges and opportunities of organising assemblies in the Italian context.
Reflecting on the event, Professor Smith commented: “It was an intense event, but the energy and engagement was high throughout. Most of KNOCA’s activity has been online, so it was a real pleasure to be able to work face-to-face with a great bunch of creative and committed democratic innovators.”
Following the success of the School, FIDE and KNOCA are already planning a follow-up next spring.
Find out more about the Centre for the Study of Democracy at the University of Westminster.
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