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 DialogueDebate, 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 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

1. Establish moderator and recorder2. Discuss personal stake3. Review ground rules4. Provide equal time for each approach5. 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.

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Role of the Recorder 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

2. Ground Rules

Provide charge to participants (i.e., it’s the work of 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?

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Questions the Moderator Can Ask Why is this important to you? How could that be accomplished? Whose voice is not represented here?

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 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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