Extracts from 'Teach yourself citizens' juries: a handbook by the DIY Jury Steering Group'

This brief overview of the concept of citizens' juries (CJ) contains extracts from a new handbook Teach yourself citizens' juries; A handbook by the DIY steering group. Using a series of cartoons as a guide, it takes you through a step-by-step process on how to plan, implement, and follow-up a CJ. The cartoons illustrate what a CJ is, why you might want to have one, what the main ingredients of a CJ are, and how to get started. Made to accompany the video Teach yourself citizens' juries: Making a difference, the manual explains the origins of citizens' juries, and provides examples of how some of the situations in which you might feel it would be worthwhile to hold a citizens' jury yourself. Both the handbook and the video are published by the policy, Ethics, and Life Sciences (PEALS) Programme, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 2003. The concept of CJ is briefly described as ôan opportunity for people to express an informed view on a subject, according to their principles. The CJ includes ordinary people on the jury, who get information from specialists with different perspectives, and make conclusions on community issues in order to influence decision makers.