Vaasa residents are invited to join a Citizens’ Panel to discuss equality and non-discrimination
In March 2026, the City of Vaasa will organise its first-ever Citizens’ Panel in collaboration with Åbo Akademi University, Tampere University, and the University of Vaasa. The Citizen’s Panel is a part of the research project STRONG. Those invited to the Citizens’ Panel have been randomly selected and anyone aged 18 or over living in Vaasa may receive an invitation by post.
Using democratic innovations like the Citizens’ Panel in decision-making gives residents the opportunity to influence decisions even between elections. It also provides decision-makers with insight into residents’ considered views.
Professor Kaisa Herne
The Vaasa Citizens’ Panel brings residents together for one day to discuss equality and non-discrimination and to form considered opinions based on expert knowledge. To enhance accessibility, the discussions will be held entirely online.
Before the panel, participants will receive an information pack providing more details on the themes to be discussed. After the discussion, participants will complete a survey, the results of which will be shared with the team developing Vaasa’s Equality and non-discrimination plan.
Link to the City of Vaasa’s press release: Vaasa residents are invited to join a Citizens’ Panel to discuss equality and non-discrimination | Vaasa
