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Civic Engagementthrough

Public Deliberation

Civic Engagementthrough

Public Deliberation

Renée A. Daugherty

Oklahoma Partnership for Public Deliberation

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Purpose of this SessionPurpose of this Session

Introduce the concept of public deliberation and how public deliberation can be used to address challenging community problems and public issues

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Without the people’s will,the people won’t.”

Without the people’s will,the people won’t.”

Harry WestCoalition of the Willing

Atlanta, GA

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Role of Public in PolicyRole of Public in Policy . . . The people must be actively involved in

making public judgments . . . . To preserve American democracy, there is something for everyone to do – average citizens, institutions, people in positions of leadership, experts, government officials, the media – all of us

Yankelovich, 1991

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The Public Decision-Making Process

The Public Decision-Making Process

Public Problem

Facts Myths Values(Tensions/Dilemmas)

Public Decision

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Public Deliberation helps peopleweigh alternative policies . . .

. . . to solve challenging public problems.

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The Roots ofPublic Deliberation

The Roots ofPublic Deliberation

• Tribal decision making• New England town hall

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National Issues Forums (NIF)

National Issues Forums (NIF)

• Non-partisan, non-advocacy• Nation-wide network (about 40 states)• Issues identified each year• Issue books/videos• Local issue forums and study circles

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Public Deliberation(public deliberative forums)

Public Deliberation(public deliberative forums)

• A public problem– Complex, with no simple answers– There is time for deliberation, not an emergency

• Deliberative; beyond debate or the simple sharing of ideas

• A structured dialogue / issue guide with 3-4 approaches

• Public understanding and knowledge about issues

• Learning the concerns people have about an issue

• A means to make tough choices about policy directions

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Public Deliberation, cont’dPublic Deliberation, cont’d• A way of reasoning and talking together

– Weighs the views of others– Considers consequences, costs and benefits– Challenges people to identify trade-offs– Respects the perspectives and values of others– Identifies the tensions/dilemmas between values

• Requires that people:– Interact peacefully.– Share knowledge and perspectives on issues.– Organize to act publicly on these issues.

• A means to find common ground for action; securing commitment to work together

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IssueBook

Issue guides to support the forum: • 3-4 issue books developed each year• Over 50 topics currently available• For list of topics:

• nifi.org• everydaydemocracy.org

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What Happens in a Public Deliberative Forum?

What Happens in a Public Deliberative Forum?

• Participants & moderator in a circle (15-25 people)

• Diverse participants & perspectives

• Facilitated by a trained moderator and recorder

• Issue guide with 3-4 approaches

• 2 to 2½ hours:– Opening– Deliberation of approaches– Reflections/Closing/Possible

Outcomes• Common ground• Tradeoffs• Understanding of others’

perspectives

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What Happens after a Deliberative Forum?

What Happens after a Deliberative Forum?

• Nationally through NIF– Moderators from multiple forums report

outcomes (such as common ground, trade-offs, etc.) via web

– NIF prepares national reports (3 or 4 per year)– “A Public Voice” – one-hour PBS special

– Presentation at National Press Club in Washington, DC

– Presentation to Congress and/or staff

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After a Deliberative Forum, cont’d

After a Deliberative Forum, cont’d

• In Oklahoma or locally:– Forum outcomes compiled into a final state or

local report– Report is shared:

– A public community meeting

– News releases

– Printed materials, etc.

• Public action• Connecting citizens & officeholders

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Studies ofPublic Deliberation

Studies ofPublic Deliberation

• Deliberative Forum Participants:– Come from every part of society

– Reconsider their own opinions and judgments

– Approach issues more realistically considering costs, consequences and trade-offs associated with policy options

– Define their self interests more broadly

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Study Findings, cont’dStudy Findings, cont’d

– Reconsider & develop greater understanding for the views of others

– Develop greater sense of confidence in what they can do politically

– Become more interested in political and social issues

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Developing a Habit ofPublic Deliberation

Developing a Habit ofPublic Deliberation

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Oklahoma Partnershipfor

Public Deliberation

Oklahoma Partnershipfor

Public Deliberation

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Oklahoma Partnership for Public Deliberation

Oklahoma Partnership for Public Deliberation

• Trainings:– Oklahoma Moderators and Recorders Academy– Framing Issues for Deliberation Workshop

• Statewide forums & reports• Issue framing• OKdeliberates.org

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“Never doubt that a small group of

committed citizens can change the

world; indeed that is the only thing

that ever has.”

--Margaret Mead