Transcript Public Issues Forum

Purpose of Deliberative Issues Forums
 Provide safe spaces for public discourse on complex issues.
 Encourage conversation that identifies underlying values
that inform our ideas. (Not just what, but why?)
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A Return to the Civic:
What does it mean to be a citizen?
 Be more than “one who votes.”
 Work with others to solve common problems.
 Understand other points of view.
 Actively seek common ground for greater good (solutions
that address everyone’s concern).
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Debate, Discussion Deliberative Dialogue
Debate, Discussion, Deliberative Dialogue
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Effective Issues Framing
People normally approach difficult decisions by:
 looking at the options available to them
 weighing the advantages/disadvantages of each
 selecting the option most consistent with what they value
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Framing Questions for Deliberation:
 What concerns people when they think about an issue?
In other words, what is valuable?
 Given these concerns, what types of actions would they favor?
 What benefits and/or negative consequences might result?
In other words, what tradeoffs have to be considered?
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Core Values
 Security
 Fairness/Equality
 Freedom/Self-determination
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Characteristics of Effective Framing
 Name issue in a way that does not favor a particular
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approach.
Provide options for action that reflect the things that
people consider valuable.
Clearly expose the tensions between the advantages and
disadvantages of each option.
Avoid frameworks that lend themselves from selecting “all
of the above.”
Describe consequences in terms of their effects on what is
valuable, not just practical.
Recognize unpopular points of view.
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Characteristics of Effective Framing (cont.)
 Present each option in the most positive light
 Avoid making the pros of one option into the cons of
another.
 Avoid prompting the usual conversations.
 Allow people to “stew” and recognize the undesirable
results of their favored option.
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Structure of an Issues Forum
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Establish moderator and recorder
Discuss personal stake
Review ground rules
Provide equal time for each approach
Incorporate personal and group reflection
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1. Role of the Moderator
 Guide (don’t lead) the deliberation.
 The less said, the better
 Encourage participants to talk to each other, not to you
 Present the essence of each approach. Then, ask a starter
question to turn the work over to the group.
 Permit periods of silence between speakers. It’s okay.
Role of the Recorder
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Write down thoughts of participants
Ask for pauses and clarification as needed
Use a different color for each of the 3 (or 4) approaches
Consider a section for “needs more information”
In the final, reflection phase, underline or circle to indicate common
ground or tensions
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2. Ground Rules
 Provide charge to participants (i.e., it’s the work of
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citizens to make choices about public issues)
Understand format is deliberation, not debate.
Encourage everyone to participate.
Do not let one or two individuals dominate.
Focus discussion on the choices.
Consider all positions on the issue.
Maintain an atmosphere conducive for discussion.
Listen to each other.
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3. Personal Stake
 What is your personal experience with the issue?
 What concerns you the most about the issue?
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4. Work Through Approaches
 What do/don’t you like about this approach?
 What underlying values are important to people who favor
this approach?
 What are the costs, consequences, and trade-offs?
Questions the Moderator Can Ask
 Why is this important to you?
 How could that be accomplished?
 Whose voice is not represented here?
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5. Post-Forum Reflection
Personal Reflection
 How has your thinking about issue changed?
 What have you learned that surprised you?
Group Reflection
 Shared sense of direction or common ground?
Tensions
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What are we still struggling with as a group?
What do we still need to talk about?
Which trade offs are we (or are we not) willing to make?
Whose voice was not at the table?
What will you do with what you learned today?
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