Gary Austin
@circleindigo.bsky.social
Engagement Lead - Training at Involve.org.uk
Certified Professional Facilitator - Master (CPF-M)
Certified Professional Facilitator - Master (CPF-M)
Reposted by Gary Austin
97 randomly selected citizens show what the Rhenish mining region needs beyond billions in funding and major projects. The government of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia must now respond to their recommendations.
#CitizensAssembly
#CitizensAssembly
Structural change begins on the doorstep
97 randomly selected citizens show what the Rhenish mining region needs beyond billions in funding and major projects. The state government must now respond to their ten recommendations.
www.mehr-demokratie.de
September 24, 2026 at 7:06 PM
97 randomly selected citizens show what the Rhenish mining region needs beyond billions in funding and major projects. The government of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia must now respond to their recommendations.
#CitizensAssembly
#CitizensAssembly
Reposted by Gary Austin
Slogans won’t slow the rapid development of dangerously powerful AI. But a citizens’ assembly representative of humanity’s diversity and independent of frontier labs and national governments could, @landemore.bsky.social and @audreyt.org argue.
#CitizensAssembly
#CitizensAssembly
Let The People Set The Pace Of Frontier AI | NOEMA
Slogans won’t slow the rapid development of dangerously powerful AI. But a citizens’ assembly representative of humanity’s diversity and independent of frontier labs and national governments could.
www.noemamag.com
September 23, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Slogans won’t slow the rapid development of dangerously powerful AI. But a citizens’ assembly representative of humanity’s diversity and independent of frontier labs and national governments could, @landemore.bsky.social and @audreyt.org argue.
#CitizensAssembly
#CitizensAssembly
Reposted by Gary Austin
I am pleased to announce my new 2027 schedule of public @ica-uk.bsky.social ToP facilitation training courses in London and Brussels, and again also in the beautiful and historic resort town of Sitges, just down the coast from Barcelona #ToPfacilitation martingilbraith.com/2026/09/23/n...
New 2027 schedule of public ToP facilitation training in London, Brussels & Sitges Barcelona
Welcome to autumn, with a 10% discount on any of my 2026 & 2027 courses by registering before Monday 12 October with the promo code AutumnSale! I am pleased to announce my new 2027 schedule of …
martingilbraith.com
September 23, 2026 at 2:58 PM
I am pleased to announce my new 2027 schedule of public @ica-uk.bsky.social ToP facilitation training courses in London and Brussels, and again also in the beautiful and historic resort town of Sitges, just down the coast from Barcelona #ToPfacilitation martingilbraith.com/2026/09/23/n...
Reposted by Gary Austin
On 25 September, the Utopia bookshop in Paris will welcome Bertrand Séné and Beverley Toudic for a discussion on citizens’ assemblies.
The event can also be followed via Zoom.
www.mehr-demokratie.de/en/mehr-wiss...
#CitizensAssembly
The event can also be followed via Zoom.
www.mehr-demokratie.de/en/mehr-wiss...
#CitizensAssembly
Are citizens´ assemblies the future of democracy?
On 25 September, the Utopia bookshop in Paris will welcome Bertrand Séné and Beverley Toudic for a discussion on citizens’ assemblies. Bertrand Séné posits in…
www.mehr-demokratie.de
September 21, 2026 at 5:46 AM
On 25 September, the Utopia bookshop in Paris will welcome Bertrand Séné and Beverley Toudic for a discussion on citizens’ assemblies.
The event can also be followed via Zoom.
www.mehr-demokratie.de/en/mehr-wiss...
#CitizensAssembly
The event can also be followed via Zoom.
www.mehr-demokratie.de/en/mehr-wiss...
#CitizensAssembly
Reposted by Gary Austin
On Sept. 26, Alex Levy of PDLA will be facilitating a workshop on civic assemblies at the 2026 Los Angeles Congress of Neighborhoods.
Sign up www.neighborhoodcongress.la to attend! Our workshop will be 3-4 pm, although the conference runs all day. We will also have a table. Come by to say hi!
Sign up www.neighborhoodcongress.la to attend! Our workshop will be 3-4 pm, although the conference runs all day. We will also have a table. Come by to say hi!
Los Angeles Congress of Neighborhoods
Bringing Neighborhood Council leaders together for 12 years.
www.neighborhoodcongress.la
September 20, 2026 at 9:36 PM
On Sept. 26, Alex Levy of PDLA will be facilitating a workshop on civic assemblies at the 2026 Los Angeles Congress of Neighborhoods.
Sign up www.neighborhoodcongress.la to attend! Our workshop will be 3-4 pm, although the conference runs all day. We will also have a table. Come by to say hi!
Sign up www.neighborhoodcongress.la to attend! Our workshop will be 3-4 pm, although the conference runs all day. We will also have a table. Come by to say hi!
Reposted by Gary Austin
As long as dying people are denied the choice and protection they need, we will be here to fight for them.
September 18, 2026 at 3:31 PM
As long as dying people are denied the choice and protection they need, we will be here to fight for them.
Reposted by Gary Austin
Since September 18, 2026, a Citizens’ Panel has been deliberating on measures to strengthen democracy in the European Union (EU). Until the end of the year, all EU residents can submit their questions and ideas on the subject online and at events organised on the topic.
#CitizensAssembly
#CitizensAssembly
EU Citizens' Panel to strengthen democracy
Since September 18, 2026, a randomly selected Citizens’ Panel has been deliberating on measures to strengthen democracy in the European Union (EU). Until the end of the year, anyone interested can sub...
www.mehr-demokratie.de
September 18, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Since September 18, 2026, a Citizens’ Panel has been deliberating on measures to strengthen democracy in the European Union (EU). Until the end of the year, all EU residents can submit their questions and ideas on the subject online and at events organised on the topic.
#CitizensAssembly
#CitizensAssembly
Reposted by Gary Austin
South Africa’s first Climate Citizens’ Assembly is looking for ways to create a fairer transport system – and confronting the enduring legacy of apartheid along the way.
#CitizensAssembly
#CitizensAssembly
The city of long journeys
South Africa’s first climate citizens’ assembly is looking for ways to create a fairer transport system – and confronting the enduring legacy of apartheid along the way.
www.mehr-demokratie.de
September 18, 2026 at 6:27 AM
South Africa’s first Climate Citizens’ Assembly is looking for ways to create a fairer transport system – and confronting the enduring legacy of apartheid along the way.
#CitizensAssembly
#CitizensAssembly
Reposted by Gary Austin
⚡🏘️ A big moment for community energy.
Great British Energy has launched £30m of funding for community energy and local authority projects, the first wave of its wider £1bn Local Power Plan.
More communities will be able to own and benefit from clean energy. 🌱
Great British Energy has launched £30m of funding for community energy and local authority projects, the first wave of its wider £1bn Local Power Plan.
More communities will be able to own and benefit from clean energy. 🌱
‘People’s Power’ projects to give more control over local energy
Communities across the country will be able to build and control their own clean energy supply.
www.gov.uk
September 17, 2026 at 7:52 AM
⚡🏘️ A big moment for community energy.
Great British Energy has launched £30m of funding for community energy and local authority projects, the first wave of its wider £1bn Local Power Plan.
More communities will be able to own and benefit from clean energy. 🌱
Great British Energy has launched £30m of funding for community energy and local authority projects, the first wave of its wider £1bn Local Power Plan.
More communities will be able to own and benefit from clean energy. 🌱
Reposted by Gary Austin
Surprising finding on climate assemblies: Legitimacy can increase when those most affected are deliberately given stronger representation – especially young people.
#CitizensAssembly
#CitizensAssembly
People are more likely to trust climate assemblies when those most affected have a bigger say, study finds
With COP31 a few months away, new research has found the most trusted decisions about how to fight global warming are made by the people affected most by those environmental issues.
www.lboro.ac.uk
September 17, 2026 at 5:59 AM
Surprising finding on climate assemblies: Legitimacy can increase when those most affected are deliberately given stronger representation – especially young people.
#CitizensAssembly
#CitizensAssembly
Reposted by Gary Austin
Want citizens’ assemblies to strengthen democracy? Don’t just hold them. Listen to them.
New research finds that legitimacy rises when politicians visibly take citizens’ recommendations seriously - especially among people with low political trust.
Being heard matters.
#CitizensAssembly
New research finds that legitimacy rises when politicians visibly take citizens’ recommendations seriously - especially among people with low political trust.
Being heard matters.
#CitizensAssembly
Does citizen deliberation inside representative institutions enhance legitimacy among non-participating publics? | European Journal of Political Research | Cambridge Core
Does citizen deliberation inside representative institutions enhance legitimacy among non-participating publics?
www.cambridge.org
September 16, 2026 at 5:28 AM
Want citizens’ assemblies to strengthen democracy? Don’t just hold them. Listen to them.
New research finds that legitimacy rises when politicians visibly take citizens’ recommendations seriously - especially among people with low political trust.
Being heard matters.
#CitizensAssembly
New research finds that legitimacy rises when politicians visibly take citizens’ recommendations seriously - especially among people with low political trust.
Being heard matters.
#CitizensAssembly
Reposted by Gary Austin
Citizen engagement processes can be transformative. But what is their impact on policymaking, democratic systems and the broader public? This JRC report maps a range of impacts across policy, institutions and society.
publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/h...
#CitizensAssembly
publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/h...
#CitizensAssembly
September 15, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Citizen engagement processes can be transformative. But what is their impact on policymaking, democratic systems and the broader public? This JRC report maps a range of impacts across policy, institutions and society.
publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/h...
#CitizensAssembly
publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/h...
#CitizensAssembly
Reposted by Gary Austin
Exploring ways to have more purposeful and productive conversations, develop creative solutions, and build group consensus is essential for effective collaboration.
Join me 29-30 Oct in Sitges to enhance your #facilitation skills in Spain!
@ica-uk.bsky.social
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1644601991...
Join me 29-30 Oct in Sitges to enhance your #facilitation skills in Spain!
@ica-uk.bsky.social
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1644601991...
ToP Group Facilitation Methods training - Sitges, Barcelona
ToP Group Facilitation Methods training - Sitges, Barcelona
www.eventbrite.co.uk
September 15, 2026 at 6:50 AM
Exploring ways to have more purposeful and productive conversations, develop creative solutions, and build group consensus is essential for effective collaboration.
Join me 29-30 Oct in Sitges to enhance your #facilitation skills in Spain!
@ica-uk.bsky.social
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1644601991...
Join me 29-30 Oct in Sitges to enhance your #facilitation skills in Spain!
@ica-uk.bsky.social
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1644601991...
Reposted by Gary Austin
Around the world, Citizens’ Assemblies are demonstrating what becomes possible when everyday people are given the time, information and opportunity to think together.
The handbook „Democracy Beyond Elections“ brings together practical lessons from these experiences.
#CitizensAssembly
The handbook „Democracy Beyond Elections“ brings together practical lessons from these experiences.
#CitizensAssembly
Democracy Beyond Elections: A Handbook on Citizens’ Assemblies - newDemocracy Foundation
Now Available! The second edition of Democracy Beyond Elections: A Handbook on Citizens’ Assemblies is now available to download for free. Around the world, Citizens’ Assemblies are demonstrating what...
www.newdemocracy.com.au
September 15, 2026 at 6:55 AM
Around the world, Citizens’ Assemblies are demonstrating what becomes possible when everyday people are given the time, information and opportunity to think together.
The handbook „Democracy Beyond Elections“ brings together practical lessons from these experiences.
#CitizensAssembly
The handbook „Democracy Beyond Elections“ brings together practical lessons from these experiences.
#CitizensAssembly
Reposted by Gary Austin
Join our training that introduces you to transformative community organising – an approach that combines the strategic power-building of community organising with the sustaining practice of collective care.
🗓️ Thu 15 Oct | Book now: actbuildchange.com/events/intro...
#CommunityOrganising
🗓️ Thu 15 Oct | Book now: actbuildchange.com/events/intro...
#CommunityOrganising
Introduction to Transformative Community Organising
Transformative organising combines community organising and collective care. Discover the basics of power and creating change together.
actbuildchange.com
September 14, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Join our training that introduces you to transformative community organising – an approach that combines the strategic power-building of community organising with the sustaining practice of collective care.
🗓️ Thu 15 Oct | Book now: actbuildchange.com/events/intro...
#CommunityOrganising
🗓️ Thu 15 Oct | Book now: actbuildchange.com/events/intro...
#CommunityOrganising
Reposted by Gary Austin
What impact do citizens’ assemblies have on politics, institutions and society? The Community of Practice of the Competence Centre on Participatory and Deliberative Democracy is hosting an online seminar on this topic on 15 September at 9.30 am CEST.
www.mehr-demokratie.de/en/mehr-wiss...
www.mehr-demokratie.de/en/mehr-wiss...
September 12, 2026 at 6:38 AM
What impact do citizens’ assemblies have on politics, institutions and society? The Community of Practice of the Competence Centre on Participatory and Deliberative Democracy is hosting an online seminar on this topic on 15 September at 9.30 am CEST.
www.mehr-demokratie.de/en/mehr-wiss...
www.mehr-demokratie.de/en/mehr-wiss...
Reposted by Gary Austin
"MPs: turn up tomorrow and use your vote. Refuse to allow a handful of unelected Lords to block a bill passed by the Commons and supported for years by 75% of the public."
@pollytoynbee.bsky.social makes an impassioned plea to MPs - do the right thing and vote for compassionate choice.
@pollytoynbee.bsky.social makes an impassioned plea to MPs - do the right thing and vote for compassionate choice.
September 10, 2026 at 2:47 PM
"MPs: turn up tomorrow and use your vote. Refuse to allow a handful of unelected Lords to block a bill passed by the Commons and supported for years by 75% of the public."
@pollytoynbee.bsky.social makes an impassioned plea to MPs - do the right thing and vote for compassionate choice.
@pollytoynbee.bsky.social makes an impassioned plea to MPs - do the right thing and vote for compassionate choice.
Reposted by Gary Austin
Are you a facilitator based in NE England? Join the @iafenglandwales.bsky.social informal coffee chat in Newcastle tomorrow. All welcome.
9 September. 2pm. Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/iaf-englan...
9 September. 2pm. Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/iaf-englan...
IAF England & Wales Facilitators & Friends North East - Meet up
Informal event for facilitators and friends from across the North East to come together over coffee in Newcastle city centre.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
September 8, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Are you a facilitator based in NE England? Join the @iafenglandwales.bsky.social informal coffee chat in Newcastle tomorrow. All welcome.
9 September. 2pm. Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/iaf-englan...
9 September. 2pm. Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/iaf-englan...
Reposted by Gary Austin
"We owe it to [terminally ill people], and to the vast majority of voters who support them, not to sit back and allow a minority of unelected peers to stand in their way."
September 8, 2026 at 9:53 AM
"We owe it to [terminally ill people], and to the vast majority of voters who support them, not to sit back and allow a minority of unelected peers to stand in their way."
Reposted by Gary Austin
"Support for giving terminally ill people this choice is deep, durable and shared across age groups, social classes, regions and political beliefs."
Baroness Mattinson sets the record straight - the public are overwhelmingly in favour of giving terminally ill adults choice at the end of life.
Baroness Mattinson sets the record straight - the public are overwhelmingly in favour of giving terminally ill adults choice at the end of life.
September 8, 2026 at 10:05 AM
"Support for giving terminally ill people this choice is deep, durable and shared across age groups, social classes, regions and political beliefs."
Baroness Mattinson sets the record straight - the public are overwhelmingly in favour of giving terminally ill adults choice at the end of life.
Baroness Mattinson sets the record straight - the public are overwhelmingly in favour of giving terminally ill adults choice at the end of life.
Reposted by Gary Austin
Have your booked your place on our new workshop Designing a Winning Strategy yet? You've got one week left!
🗓️ Tue 15 Sep | Book now: actbuildchange.com/events/strat...
#CommunityOrganiser #CommunityOrganising #Activist #Campaign #Activism
🗓️ Tue 15 Sep | Book now: actbuildchange.com/events/strat...
#CommunityOrganiser #CommunityOrganising #Activist #Campaign #Activism
Design a Winning Strategy – Community Organising Foundations
Strategy turns what you have into what you need to win. Learn to design campaigns where tactics drive change and build people power.
actbuildchange.com
September 8, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Have your booked your place on our new workshop Designing a Winning Strategy yet? You've got one week left!
🗓️ Tue 15 Sep | Book now: actbuildchange.com/events/strat...
#CommunityOrganiser #CommunityOrganising #Activist #Campaign #Activism
🗓️ Tue 15 Sep | Book now: actbuildchange.com/events/strat...
#CommunityOrganiser #CommunityOrganising #Activist #Campaign #Activism
Reposted by Gary Austin
My Labour colleague Baroness Mattinson on the enduring public support for assisted dying and the democratic case for sending my Private Members Bill back to the House of Lords:
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
The fresh vote on assisted dying is not only about life and death – it is about democracy
I have spent much of my working life listening to the public, watching opinions change, loyalties shift and issues once considered settled become f...
www.politicshome.com
September 7, 2026 at 5:42 PM
My Labour colleague Baroness Mattinson on the enduring public support for assisted dying and the democratic case for sending my Private Members Bill back to the House of Lords:
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Gary Austin
This Friday, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill returns to the Commons after its progress was blocked in the Lords during the last parliamentary session.
Read why I'll be voting yes once again: buff.ly/KTxsbED
Read why I'll be voting yes once again: buff.ly/KTxsbED
September 7, 2026 at 1:46 PM
This Friday, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill returns to the Commons after its progress was blocked in the Lords during the last parliamentary session.
Read why I'll be voting yes once again: buff.ly/KTxsbED
Read why I'll be voting yes once again: buff.ly/KTxsbED
Reposted by Gary Austin
You've got one week to apply to be our next Lead Community Organiser!
In this role you'll support communities to build power, win campaigns, and develop new leaders across the UK.
Find out more about the role and how to apply on our website: actbuildchange.com/opportunitie...
#CommunityOrganiser
In this role you'll support communities to build power, win campaigns, and develop new leaders across the UK.
Find out more about the role and how to apply on our website: actbuildchange.com/opportunitie...
#CommunityOrganiser
Lead Community Organiser at Act Build Change
Lead transformative organising programmes with communities across the UK to build power and win change.
actbuildchange.com
September 7, 2026 at 12:02 PM
You've got one week to apply to be our next Lead Community Organiser!
In this role you'll support communities to build power, win campaigns, and develop new leaders across the UK.
Find out more about the role and how to apply on our website: actbuildchange.com/opportunitie...
#CommunityOrganiser
In this role you'll support communities to build power, win campaigns, and develop new leaders across the UK.
Find out more about the role and how to apply on our website: actbuildchange.com/opportunitie...
#CommunityOrganiser
Reposted by Gary Austin
Turns out that if you are an old lady with a banner supporting Palestine, the government arrests you on charges of terrorism. If you are a masked white male thug bringing a national port to a standstill, the government does absolutely nothing, and the media covers it like some lads on a day out.
September 7, 2026 at 7:46 AM
Turns out that if you are an old lady with a banner supporting Palestine, the government arrests you on charges of terrorism. If you are a masked white male thug bringing a national port to a standstill, the government does absolutely nothing, and the media covers it like some lads on a day out.