Dort twenty-five years, procedures for public participation in decision-making have continued to multiply. The 2005 law, which institutionalizes the principle of public debate, clearly had a dual ambition. A democratic ambition first of all: the Aarhus Convention of 1998 aimed at supporting the democratic transition of Eastern European countries had laid down the principle of involving the public in decisions in the field of the environment. And a more utilitarian ambition: multiply participation to limit conflicts and litigation. However, this right to participation is first and foremost a civic conquest. It was not born solely from the will of parliamentarians.
In the 1990s, conflicts multiplied around major projects. A group of people who “discovered” the TGV Méditerranée project through the press organize themselves to create what will be the first public debate. This group questions the public authorities, collects information, forms its own opinion on the project, organizes debates where each person has the same speaking time. This initiative clearly inspired the creation of the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP).
After twenty-five years of existence, we can say that public debate has a real impact on decisions. The statistics attest to this, since 58% of projects come out of a public debate profoundly modified. We maintain a daily democratic dialogue, on the ground, anchored in the territories thanks to the 150 consultations and public debates that we organize each year. This history and this concrete presence allow us to claim unique expertise and experience in terms of citizen participation. We know the rules to follow and the mistakes not to make. We know that distrust of officials is only a reflection of the distrust they show of the public.
To govern with sincerity
Everyday democracy is fragile, and its political manipulation dangerous. It is fragile, because it requires that those responsible are sincere, that they really intend to share the decision with the public, that the rules of the game are clear, guaranteed by law and by a body independent of all parties. stakeholders. Democracy requires rules and a defender of those rules so that everyone has the confidence to “play the game”.
To govern differently is to govern with sincerity, with clarity, with the greatest respect for everyone, including the most fervent opponents. It is to consider that good decisions are not only those of experts, but also those nourished by daily expertise, those enlightened by the words of the people concerned. This democratic requirement is imposed on all elected persons as well as on all officials, and in particular on those who claim to be experts.
Representative democracy and participatory democracy are mutually enriching and the political leaders in the field are carrying out numerous initiatives. On the other hand, people called experts have a more suspicious relationship with regard to participatory democracy, considering that expertise is the essential prerequisite for any good decision. This Republic of expertise, so powerful in France, too often reflects an image of mistrust, sometimes of contempt, towards the public.
This is a dangerous situation at a time of radical changes required by the necessary ecological transition. This transition must quickly define a new model of society. It can unite or profoundly divide because this model can be chosen or imposed by the demands of expertise. It can be democratic or not. Combining ecological transition and democracy is the challenge for the years to come, a challenge that the National Commission for Public Debate is helping to shed light on.
Chantal Jouanno, President of the National Commission for Public Debate
“Place de la République” in Lyon | A day of debates on the notion of republic and citizenship
The world organizes on Saturday January 22, 2022, at Lyon City Hall, a day of conferences, debates and workshops on the issues of the republic and citizenship in France.
Free admission on registration from this link
“Republic Square” | Conferences, debates, workshops
Saturday, January 22, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Lyon City Hall, 1, place de la Comédie, 69001 Lyon
lemonde.fr/placedelarepublique
This article is produced as part of the “Place de la République” event, in partnership with the City of Lyon.
