Permanent citizens' assembly in New-Caledonia

Design - Strategy

I have the opportunity to contribute to a deeply inspiring initiative: supporting the reflections of the Congress of New Caledonia—and in particular those of Régis Pradal, who has been officially mandated by the Congress—on the creation of a permanent citizens' assembly.

A new way of doing democracy

In a context as complex as that of New Caledonia—marked by identity-based tensions and an uncertain institutional future—it is crucial to find new ways of practicing democracy. It is in this spirit that a process was launched to imagine a system where randomly selected citizens could meet regularly, in a structured and informed way, to deliberate on the major issues facing the island.

A space for depolarization

The aim is not only to involve the population more in public decision-making. It is above all about creating a shared space for dialogue in a society where visions for the future are often in conflict. A permanent citizens' assembly could serve as just such a space for depolarization—encouraging mutual listening, recognition of lived experiences, and the co-construction of proposals capable of overcoming stalemates.

Three complementary pillars

The architecture of this future assembly rests on three complementary pillars:

1. Institutional design, which I discuss in this article, defines the framework and functioning of the future citizens’ assembly based on best practices adapted to the local context;

2. “Palaver tree” sessions, organized across various parts of the island, to collect the voices of citizens and enrich deliberations with diverse local experiences;

3. An online questionnaire, open to all New Caledonians, to collectively define the desired democratic horizon.

   
   

The design proposed to the Congress is therefore a subtle blend of expertise, online consultation, and on-the-ground deliberation.

A strong focus on the local context

This support work must always be carried out with close attention to the local context, to the aspirations of New Caledonians, and to the potential institutional integration of such a mechanism. These are fragile and demanding dynamics—but also deeply hopeful ones.

A potentially inspiring example

I am deeply convinced that deliberative processes can play a key role in the democratic transition of territories in search of common ground. In the years to come, New Caledonia could well become an inspiring example of this new way of shaping society.