Deliberative engagements - design and facilitation

Bring people to the table differently, for a different quality of informed discussion and outcome.

Government, business and community agencies plan and act in complex terrain. Deliberative methods provide unique and relevant feedback and recommendations. A deliberative engagement:

• assists participants to grasp complexity
• draws out the views and values of different sectors of society
• enables people to weigh up different options based on relevant information and expertise

The method is capacity building. Clients who commission them get a new perspective on citizen and stakeholder willingness to be co-creators in change.

How are do these methods enable this?

• Selection of particpants avoids bias towards known and highly active interested parties
• Participants are introduced to complex topics with good background information
• Participants enter into dialogue and meaningful debate on a relevant key question
• Participants are able to interact with specialists and gain an informed opinion

Deliberative events such as citizens’ juries, forums and larger scale deliberative engagements are very practical, and give a clear picture of the range of perspectives on complex, contested issues.