Advisory council urges government to involve citizens more to strengthen democracy

Citizens should be more involved in the decision-making and work done by the government to improve democracy in the Netherlands, according to the Council for Public Administration (ROB). People need to feel like they are being listened to and that they are able to contribute. At the same time, the council added that the government should not always give in to societal pressure.

According to ROB, many citizens feel that the government does not respond to them. This makes people feel like they are not involved. According to the advisory council, the government should give citizens more opportunities to participate in democracy, including by making clear how and where people can share their opinions. When people feel they are being heard, they are more likely to engage in democratic processes.

To participate effectively, it is important for people to develop civic skills, the council said. “How to take part, what your rights and responsibilities are, and how to interact respectfully with others. When citizens develop these skills, our democracy becomes stronger.”

For the government, it is important to be open to what people say, but not to automatically give in to the loudest voices. That is why, according to the ROB, it is important for the government to communicate clearly and transparently about how decisions are made.