People’s AssembliesAmparo 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-findingdebateconsensus 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.

Voting Consensus

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!