Public Engagement: Deliberative Dialogues
Ten members and partners of BCCIC from Prince George, Kamloops, the Comox Valley, Victoria & Vancouver gathered over 3 days in October to take part in an intensive training workshop on "How to Facilitate a Deliberative Dialogue". It was an in-depth process that is part of BCCIC's journey in supporting our regional partners with their public engagement work. The intention was to share with them a new PE tool, that would help them further engage their local communities in global issues and the work of their organizations. They will now take this new tool and organize/facilitate a local dialogue on a global issue - hopefully bringing a diversity of people together to dialogue about issues that normally are not discussed in public by average citizens.
Deliberative dialogue is a format that allows people to discuss big issues such as climate change, Indigenous rights, global inequality, etc in a way that reduces conflict and allows people to explore different points of view. You don't need to be an "expert" to participate, as the process starts with the creation of a "discussion guide", which gives participants a general context on the issue, then breaks it down into various approaches or choices. For example, on the issue of global inequality, the approaches might be 1) increase aid, or 2) increase trade, or 3) support grassroots organizations. There are pros and cons to each approach, and these are explored in detail as participants step through each approach and share their own perspectives. The intention is not to get people to agree, but rather to listen to perspectives they might not have heard before, and deepen their understanding. Often, some form of common ground is found among the group members, even if all they can agree on is that global inequality is not good and they all want to do something about it, even if they disagree on how. This common ground can (but not always) lead to action - with group members agreeing to take some further steps on the issue together.
Jacquie Dale from One World Inc. provided an amazing training program, and will continue to help coach the group as they plan their local dialogues. Check her out at http://www.owi.ca/
Regional stakeholders and members will now be hosting dialogues in their communities on issues ranging from crime prevention to health care to immigration. It is sure to produce some exciting results, and we will continue to keep you posted on how this tool is being used across the province to engage citizens in global issues.
If you would like to find out more about deliberative dialogue, please check out http://ccic.ca/resources/archives_public_deliberation_2003_overview_e.php
