Policy Lab Learning Webinar — Citizens’ Parliament: Lessons in Public Participation

Описание: In a time of increasing complexity and shifting public expectations, public participation builds trust, networks, and shared understanding that enable communities to work together. These qualities, described by political scientist Robert Putnam as social capital, are essential for strong and lasting collaboration across society. They support a “we-first” society in which individuals, community groups, and institutions share responsibility for shaping collective decisions and solving common challenges.

In this webinar, Professor Nico Carpentier and Associate Professor Vaia Doudaki from Charles University in Prague will share their experiences and insights from the Czech Citizen Parliament on Media and Democracy. This deliberative initiative, which was part of the broader MeDeMAP research programme, invited members of the public to reflect on the evolving role of media, build trust across diverse perspectives, and explore collective responses to complex challenges.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

Explore how the Citizens’ Parliament and similar initiatives are designed to strengthen bonding and bridging capital through meaningful public deliberation

Reflect on how engagement design influences the goals and context of a project or initiative

Consider how the Citizens’ Parliament approach fosters trust and shared ownership among participants

Apply insights from the session to enhance public engagement and collaboration efforts

This webinar is organised by the IPS Policy Lab as part of its ongoing efforts to support policymakers and practicioners in Singapore to expand their public engagement practice. It is particularly relevant for those working in policy development, programme design, stakeholder engagement, and facilitation. The session will offer both conceptual grounding and applied insights to grow social capital by designing inclusive, trust-building engagements.

00:31 - Welcome & Introductions
Nicholas Thomas
Moderator
Research Fellow, Policy Lab
Institute of Policy Studies

06:37 - Presentation
Nico Carpentier
Extraordinary Professor in Communication
and Media Studies
Charles University, Prague

Vaia Doudaki
Associate Professor in Communication and
Media Studies
Charles University, Prague

46:23 - Question and Answer