FROM OBSERVER TO PARTICIPANT: PUBLIC DEBATE AS A TOOL OF CIVIC PARTICIPATION

Abstract

The paper focuses on public debates, which are a vital mechanism for facilitating citizen participation in the decision-making processes related to public affairs. This analysis examines public debates within the current legal framework, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. Particular attention is given to their execution at the national and local levels, and their impact on the formulation of public policy documents. The overarching aim is to underscore the importance of allowing citizens to freely express their perspectives during public hearings, thereby ensuring that these forums serve as genuine tools for civic engagement.

            In Serbia, public hearings constitute an essential means of engaging citizens in legislating and formulating public policies and other regulatory instruments. However, significant deficiencies in the legal framework and inconsistent application hinder their effectiveness. These issues could be effectively addressed through the enactment of a unified and comprehensive statute that would more accurately and thoroughly regulate public hearings, enhance citizen participation, and promote greater transparency and accountability.

            For public debates to serve as genuinely effective instruments for civic engagement, it is imperative to facilitate an environment where citizens can freely articulate their views, ensuring their contributions will receive appropriate consideration. Public hearings must transcend mere formalities in decision-making and provide genuine opportunities for constructive dialogue and exchanging opinions and suggestions. In this regard, it is crucial that the authority conducting the public hearing acknowledges that the input of all participants and demonstrates that their participation holds value. Otherwise, citizens may be disinclined to engage in the process, reducing their involvement to that of passive observers.