The Evolution of Remote Deliberation in Pouso Alegre City Council
About the Câmara Municipal de Pouso Alegre | Brazil. Written on September, 2020
Introduction
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on numerous sectors of society, and governmental institutions are no exception. As physical gatherings became untenable, many organisations had to adapt to a new way of conducting business. This essay explores the experience of the Pouso Alegre City Council in Brazil, which successfully implemented a remote deliberation system during the pandemic, and the potential implications of this shift for the future of legislative houses.
Transition to a Virtual Legislative Process
The Pouso Alegre City Council, unprepared for the pandemic, quickly introduced a draft legislative resolution to establish a remote deliberation system through the Zoom application. Thanks to an already established electronic legislative process, including digital certificates and a paperless environment, the transition to a virtual system was relatively seamless. The City Council consists of 15 parliamentarians who, despite varying levels of technological expertise, adapted smoothly to the new way of conducting sessions.
Remote Sessions and Publicity
Remote sessions in the Pouso Alegre City Council were broadcasted on platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, with additional coverage provided by TV Câmara and Rádio Câmara. This increased transparency and public access to the legislative process. Remote sessions were organised through Zoom, with roll-call voting and quorum calls conducted in alphabetical order.
Adapting to the New System
City councillors participated in training sessions and simulations to familiarise themselves with the remote deliberation process. Links to sessions were shared through a WhatsApp group, with strict rules in place to prevent unauthorised access. Despite initial challenges, the sessions continued smoothly, and the council was able to approve nearly 100 proposals, draft resolutions, requirements, and nominations between March and September 2020.
Benefits and Lessons Learned
The transition to remote deliberations demonstrated that the legislative process could function effectively in a virtual environment. The City Council experienced increased engagement with the public through social networks, as well as continued access to legislative activities via TV Câmara. The adaptation to remote sessions also underscored the importance of resilience and flexibility in the face of unprecedented challenges.
Future Implications for Legislative Houses
The successful implementation of remote deliberations in the Pouso Alegre City Council suggests that such an approach could be adopted more widely in the future, even after the pandemic. Remote meetings offer potential cost savings by reducing expenses associated with travel, fuel, and airline tickets. Furthermore, remote deliberations could provide greater accessibility and transparency for the public, fostering increased civic engagement and trust in the legislative process.
Conclusion
The Pouso Alegre City Council's experience with remote deliberations during the Covid-19 pandemic offers valuable insights into the potential future of legislative houses. By embracing technological advancements and adapting to new ways of conducting business, governments can not only navigate crises but also improve accessibility, transparency, and efficiency in the legislative process.