introduction to public dialogue
TRANSCRIPT
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About this session (1hr)
• Introduction to public dialogue• Real life case studies• Routes to further support• Questions and discussion
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What is public dialogue?
A process of engagement that brings together members of the public, policy makers and experts
• to discuss in depth, and where possible reach conclusions about a particular issue.
• to highlight the social, ethical and practical issues raised by up-coming policies.
• to make more robust decisions reflecting (rather than at odds with) public values.
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What does it mean in practice?
• Bringing together ‘the whole system in the room’ – the public, experts and policy makers
• Independent facilitators • Clear expectations of the extent of
public influence (informing but not deciding)
• An informed discussion• Often meeting more than once,
allowing time for reflection• Evaluation afterwards
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Impact on policy
• Opens up potential for movement on controversial areas of policy
• Delivers significant cost savings• Increases responsiveness and
accountability of policy• Supports behaviour change
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Success factors
• Direct involvement of policy-makers• Policy-maker responsibility to commission• Good, timely links to policy• Scale and representation• Governance (e.g. oversight group)• Information provision• Relationship with public participants
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Sciencewise Resources
Project funding and support
Dialogue & Engagement Specialists
Training and Mentoring
Social Intelligence & Research
Website
Newsletter
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