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1
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