SCOTTISH CIVIC ASSEMBLY

MORE DEMOCRATIC THAN QUANGOS !
MORE BALANCED THAN PRESSURE GROUPS !
MORE EFFECTIVE THAN BANNERS IN THE RAIN !
MORE COMFORTABLE THAN HOUSES IN THE TREES !
A MEDIUM FOR AN INTER-ACTIVE DEMOCRACY !

In response to an original proposal by the CSP, the Coalition for Scottish Democracy sponsored a consultative conference in June 1994, and the Scottish Civic Assembly was established. The aim is for it to become representative of the whole breadth of Scottish civic life and society, part of the process of democratic renewal, engaging the people in the national debates and decision-making which affect us all.

It is in no way competitive with the Scottish Parliament, but complementary to it, allowing for representation of our communities and groupings which are not geographically based, but connected with our work, our leisure pursuits, or other voluntary groups. It will provide the opportunity for citizens to participate and contribute where they have experience and expertise, outwith political party involvement or constraints.

FOUNDING DECLARATION

This includes the commitment that the Civic Assembly will:

Demonstrate that there is an alternative [to the present state of Scotland] if there were power in the hands of Scottish citizens;
Stimulate public debate in a non-partisan manner and influence the political agenda.

COMPOSITION

All legally constituted organisations, preferably at national level, can affiliate, and the Civic Assembly is composed of representatives in three main groups:

National bodies (eg STUC; ACTS (Churches); SCVO (Voluntary Organisations).
Key Sector Standing Commissions (eg Agriculture, Business, Education, Health, Transport etc).
Social Interest Groups (eg Disabled, Elderly, Ethnic minorities).

COUNCIL

The Convener is Campbell Christie.
The Council is elected from the representatives in the main groups, and determines the agenda, the topics for the plenary meetings, and the development of the "Future Scotland Project".

KEY SECTOR STANDING COMMISSIONS

These are being built up gradually as organisations, professional associations, trade unions and consumer and client groups affiliate. The most comprehensive at present is "Justice" which includes the Law Society, the Faculty of Advocates, the Police, the Courts, the Scottish Council for Civil Liberties, SACRO, Family Mediation, the Citizens' Advice Bureaux, and Victim Support.

It is envisaged that the Key Sectors of the Civic Assembly will take a major role in the consultation procedures of the Scottish Parliament Committees, and also with the Local Government Committees, at the initiating and scrutiny stages of policy and legislation.

PLENARY MEETINGS

So far there have been two plenary meetings, the first on "Employment and Training" (from which the Agreed Recommendations are now available), and the second on Transport and the Environment. The third will be on March 23rd, in Stirling, on the topic of "Tackling Poverty and Inequality in Scotland". The format of the meetings is flexible, and the aim is to maximise the contribution from all participants.

THE WORK OF THE ASSEMBLY: A VOICE TO GET ACTION

As the Civic Assembly develops and matures, it is envisaged that all the affiliated organisations will operate as networks for the initiation, dissemination and discussion of ideas and proposals, using whatever methods and facilities are most comfortable for them: items on the agendas of regular meetings; circulation of papers; workshops, seminars and conferences; use of the Internet etc.

Plenaries can then bring this work together, and 'cross-check' with other sectors and groups before finalisation of Agreed recommendations. Thus it will:

Provide a route for participation in decision-making at an early stage for all citizens and groups;
Identifyand analyse the strengths, weaknesses and problems in various areas of Scottish life (the Future Scotland Project is working on "Audits" and Quality and Progress indicators);
Define the feasible options for solution or improvement;
Pass agreed recommendations to elected political decision-makers (Parliament or Local Govt);
Assist with scrutiny of draft legislation.

PARTICIPATION IN THE INTER-ACTIVE DEMOCRACY

As a "Party-free Zone" the Civic Assembly provides a way for every citizen to participate and contribute in just those areas of national life where s/he has interest, experience and expertise, without the need to join a political party or find oneself embroiled in the full range of 'politics'.

Thus it can embrace the drive and motivation of the "single issue" groups, the "expert input" justification for Quangos, the rationalisation of the lobbying industry, and the provision of a voice for the silent and silenced, the disenfranchised and the alienated.

It draws groups together to tackle problems they might otherwise approach in a "Them and Us" way. It can form the inter-active 'weft' to the long 'warp' threads of our geographical-constituency-based representative democracy, weaving a stronger and more balanced fabric for our national life.

For more information contact:

The Secretary
Scottish Civic Assembly
18 Claremont Crescent
Edinburgh EH7

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