PUBLIC DELIBERATIONS
"World Issues from
the Grassroots Up"
Global Connections Pittsburgh collaborates
with the National
Issues Forums (NIF) to sponsor and moderate public
deliberations in the Pittsburgh region on internationally-related
issues. The National Issues Forums is a nonpartisan nationwide
network of groups and individuals that sponsor local forums
for the consideration of public policy issues. Started
in 1982, NIF developed out of the Kettering Foundation’s
research work that is driven by the question “what
would it take to make democracy work the way it should?”
What is a “deliberation”?
Public deliberations,
or deliberative discussions, are a process by which
people come together to talk about a community problem.
Participants deliberate with one another eye-to-eye,
face to face, exploring options, weighing others'
views, considering the costs and consequences of public
policy decisions. Using a prepared nonpartisan, non
biased booklet, and skilled moderator to guide them
through their discussion, participants take an honest
look at the trade-offs inherent in different courses
of action.
Why do a deliberation?
The core principal of public deliberation
is that all citizens, not just the "experts",
should have a voice in issues affecting them. The
process is designed to help participants hear points
of view other than their own, and move from making
individual choices to finding common ground for action.
 Where
can a deliberation be held?
Deliberative
dialogues have been held in community centers, libraries,
colleges, work places, prisons, hospitals, and high
school classrooms. A regional deliberation has been
sponsored by the Philadelphia Inquirer on health care.
A national deliberation is in progress under the auspices
of MacNeil/Lehrer Productions on Americans' role in
the world.
How can you arrange for a deliberation at your school
or organization?
Global
Connections Pittsburgh can provide consulting, facilitating,
and/or training services to convene a deliberative
discussion at your location. Issue booklets are available
on: globalization, terrorism, Americans' role in the
world, racial/ethnic tensions, the role of the media
in society, and immigration/admission policies. To
explore options contact us at: gloconpgh@stargate.net.
Note: The
technique and structure of deliberation can be used
in many areas, even outside of the public or political
arena, to facilitate communication and problem-solving
on contentious issues. To explore the use of the deliberation
format for non-international concerns, contact National
Issues Forums Research at 1-800-433-7834 or go to
the National Issues Forums Institute web site at www.nifi.org.
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