People’s Assemblies Amparo Rodrigo (Spain)

Did you know that bees make decisions collectively and democratically? Every year bees have to choose a new home. They start a process of democratic debate that includes: collective fact-finding debate consensus building Let’s work the bee’s way!

People’s assemblies Horizontal decision- taking space. Reaching consensus. Leaders avoided.

15-M Assemblies Districts –Architechtonically and socially preserved. –Neighbourhood associations. Villages Universities –Freedom of thought and expression –Cultural and society values preservation.

Who is who? Rotating responsibilities Moderator: –Keep discussion around the raised issue. –Avoid interruptions, people talking too much, too frequently or repeating themselves. –Manage, with no dominating attitude, Assembly time for proposals, finishing speaking turns or bringing the Assembly to an end at the previously-agreed time. Secretary: –Take the minutes with the agreed final decisions. Speaking turns organiser Spokespersons: –Link with other assemblies (at city or regional level), for common agreements. –2-5 representatives in upper-level assemblies → no individual opinions in.

Dynamics Assembly times. Agreed starting and finishing times. 2-3 hours are fair. Gestures or signs to show agreement and disagreement without interrupting. Disagreeing voices find it more difficult to express themselves among a majority. Ask those who disagree.

Consensus Decision-taking process. The whole group reaches an agreement. Strengthens community-belonging and trust feeling. Not compatible with authority. Power concentration is to be avoided. VotingConsensus Several alternatives proposed. Only one chosen. Winning or losing. Differences are worked in order to reach an acceptable position for all parts. Individual feelings and needs not taken into account. Individual contributions taken into account.

Consensus-reaching process A solution proposal is given. Those who do not agree with the proposal, bring in alternatives and arguments for further discussion. Discussion is held and differences cleared up. When the proposal has been understood, participants are asked for any further objections. If no objections, consensus is asked for. If no objections, after a moment of silence, decision has been taken. Decision is repeated, so everyone knows what has been decided. If no agreement is reached, each assembly should decide how to proceed in order to avoid blocking.

Let’s make it work! Be on-time. Listen without interrupting. Listen with patience and respect. Listen to others in order to be listened to. Therefore, you will grow and you will also have clearer opinions. Not everyone is able to speak with self-determination. This does not mean, however, that their decisions have less value. Reflect before speaking. Do not speak if you don’t have anything interesting to say. Be brief. Do not criticise reprehensibly. Be constructive. Compromise yourself to take responsibilities for action. Work after the assemblies is the most important. Real work is done in working groups, not at assemblies. Be sincere.

After local Assemblies… Part of a wider network. Up-down structures for decision-taking. Minutes, information and transparency.

Thank you!