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Purpose of
Deliberative Issues Forums
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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?”
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More than “one who votes”
Working with others to solve common
problems
Understanding other points of view
Active seeking of common ground for
greater good--solutions that address
everyone’s concern
Debate, Discussion Deliberative Dialogue
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Debate, Discussion, Deliberative Dialogue
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Effective Issue Framing
Framing
People normally approach difficult decisions by looking at
the options available to them, weighing the advantages
and disadvantages of each, and then selecting the option
that is most consistent with what they consider valuable.
Framing issues for deliberation requires just
a few simple questions:
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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 what negative consequences
might result? In other words, what tradeoffs have to
be considered?
Core values
Security
Fairness/Equality
Freedom/Self-determination
Characteristics of an Effective Framing
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The issue is named in such a way that it does not
favor a particular approach.
The things that people consider valuable are
reflected in the options for action.
The tensions between the advantages and
disadvantages of each option are clear.
The framework does not lend itself to selecting “all
of the above.”
The consequences are described in terms of their
effects on what is valuable, not just practical
Characteristics of an Effective Framing, cont’d.
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Those who should take action should include citizens
and what they must do collectively, not just individually.
An effective framework recognizes unpopular points of
view.
Each option is presented in the most positive light; if the
framing seems to favor one particular option, people will
feel manipulated.
The pros of one option are not the cons of another
An effective framework does not prompt the usual
conversations.
An effective framework often leaves people ‘stewing’
because they are more aware of the undesirable effects
of the options they like most.
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Structure of an Issues forum
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Moderator, recorder
Personal stake
Review of ground rules
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Charge: the work of citizens to make
choices about public issues
Deliberation, not a debate.
Equal time for each approach
Personal and group reflection
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Ground Rules
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Everyone is encouraged to participate
No one or two individuals dominate
The discussion will focus on the choices
All the positions on the issue will be
considered
An atmosphere for discussion is
maintained
We listen to each other
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Personal Stake
 Personal
experiences with this
issue?
 What concerns you the most
about this issue?
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Choice Work
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What do you like/not like about
this approach?
What is important to people
who favor this approach?
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underlying values
Cost/Consequences/Trade-offs
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The moderator’s role
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Guide the deliberation, not lead it
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The less said, the better
 Encourage participants to talk to each other, not to you
Present the essence of each approach and then ask a starter
question to turn the work over to the group.
Periods of silence between speakers is ok (they may be
thinking)
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Questions the moderator can ask: Why? How?
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Why is this important to you?
How could that be accomplished?
Whose voice is not represented here?
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Post-forum Reflection
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Personal Reflection
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Group reflections
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How has your thinking about issue changed?
What have you learned that surprised you?
Shared sense of direction or common ground?
Tensions
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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 are you going to do with what you learned today?