Apolitical | Insights from the Network of Public Management Experts Best Practice in Policy: Listening to and Engaging Citizens in Public Governance
Published: 01/09/2024
From Oxford University’s Public Policy course:
Why is User Research Important?
Written by Alexandra Tkac Posypankova, User Researcher at Creative Industry Košice
Public policies directly affect the everyday lives of citizens—the end users of governance. Yet, often, their voices are not adequately considered during policy formulation.
- In public administration, users are the ordinary citizens representing all groups within society.
- Effective policy design starts by engaging these users through gathering information, understanding their needs, behaviors, and motivations via user research.
- Policies and services must not be shaped by the views of a few but through inclusive research that represents diverse perspectives, especially vulnerable groups.
- Quantitative data shows broad trends, but qualitative research uncovers lived realities and motivations behind those trends, which is crucial for crafting effective policies.
How to Involve Citizens in Policy-Making?
Written by Miriam Levin, Head of Community Action and Giving, UK Office for Civil Society
Although citizens want to engage and express their views on governance, many feel disconnected from the core policy-making processes.
- 57% of citizens want to participate in local decision-making, but only 26% believe they can influence decisions.
- Citizen assemblies, when designed well, offer a powerful channel to amplify diverse voices, ensuring representation across age, gender, ethnicity, education, and socio-economic status.
- These assemblies bring together citizens alongside experts to deliberate comprehensively before issuing recommendations that have real impact on policy.
- Examples include Australian and Irish citizen assemblies, which have successfully influenced decisions on contentious issues like nuclear waste disposal and abortion laws.
- The UK government has launched initiatives like “Innovation in Democracy” to foster citizen engagement through modern, accessible platforms — including online participation — promoting transparency and trust.
Conclusion: Lessons for Mongolia
- Mongolia’s local self-governance structures theoretically support citizen participation, but mechanisms, budgets, and information flows remain unclear.
- Although local representative assemblies exist, their influence on national policy and accountability from government bodies is weak.
- Establishing standards and guidelines for citizen engagement, backed by transparent communication via media, would strengthen oversight and trust.
- Mongolia can benefit from adopting an “Innovative Citizens’ Assembly” model to systematically listen, respond, and integrate citizen input into governance.
Engaging citizens meaningfully in governance is not just a democratic ideal—it is essential for crafting policies that work for all.
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