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In this episode of Unsolicited Perspectives, host Bruce Anthony sits down with Dr. Marjan Ehsassi, a leading expert in democratic innovations and author of Activated Citizenship: The Transformative Power of Citizen Assemblies. Together, they dive into Dr. Ehsassi’s work in international affairs and her commitment to strengthening democracy by engaging everyday citizens in the policymaking process. The conversation unfolds around the structure and potential of citizen assemblies, highlighting their role in fostering genuine civic duty, tackling political polarization, and enabling communities to address shared issues through meaningful deliberation.
Dr. Ehsassi explains how citizen assemblies offer a fresh approach to policy creation by involving a diverse cross-section of society and shares the compelling benefits these gatherings bring, such as increased political engagement and a stronger sense of community. Bruce and Dr. Ehsassi also explore the broader challenges of modern democratic governance, discussing the impact of social media and technology on public discourse, and consider ways we might ensure a truly representative democracy in the future.
This episode of Unsolicited Perspectives concludes on a hopeful note, encouraging listeners to embrace active citizen participation as a critical component of a thriving democracy. #CitizenAssemblies #DemocraticEngagement #ActivatedCitizenship #democracy #unsolicitedperspectives
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Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to Unsolicited Perspectives
00:33 Introducing Dr. Marjan Horst Ehsassi
02:14 Dr. Ehsassi's Background and Inspiration
04:51 Understanding Citizens Assemblies
08:52 Challenges and Solutions in Citizens Assemblies
12:13 Citizens Assemblies in Different Countries
16:11 Impact and Future of Citizens Assemblies
25:34 Increasing Citizen Involvement in Democracy
30:57 Strategies to Strengthen Democracy
34:08 The Role of News and Local Issues
38:27 Future of Democratic Governance
41:28 Defining an Engaged Citizen
44:12 Reaching the Apathetic and Skeptical
47:39 Final Thoughts and Hope for Democracy
50:54 Closing Remarks and Call to Action
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Thank you for tuning in to 'Unsolicited Perspectives.' We hope you enjoyed this episode featuring unique and authentic views on current events, social-political topics, race, class, and gender. Stay engaged with us as we continue to provide insightful commentary and captivating interviews. Join us on this journey of exploration and thought-provoking conversations, and remember, your perspective matters!
Marjan H. Ehsassi is the Executive Director of FIDE – North America (the Federation for Innovation in Democracy North America; fide.eu/north-america). She is a Future of Democracy Fellow (non-resident) at the Berggruen Institute and a Senior Innovations Fellow at the Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability (IDEA at OSU). Marjan is a skilled advocate, strategic policy advisor and a movement builder. A fierce believer in the integrity of citizens’ voice, she promotes citizen-centric democratic processes that are inclusive, hold government accountable, build civic muscle and are impactful. A lawyer, Marjan has worked to enhance space for civil society in some of the most complex environments including Cuba, Iran, and North Korea. She completed her Doctorate in International Affairs (DIA) at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) with a concentration on democratic innovations, deliberative democracy, and citizens’ assemblies. A researcher on several citizens’ assemblies in France, Belgium, Canada and the US, she recently served as one of four guarantors of the French Citizens’ Convention on the End of Life and on the Oversight Committee of the G1000 We Need to Talk Citizens’ Panels. She sits on several boards including Healthy Democracy, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), IPEC (AFSC’s International Programs Executive Council), the Meridian Council and is an active member of Democracy R&D and the OECD’s Innovative Citizen Participation Network. Her book Activated Citizenship - The Transformative Power of Citi… Read More
