Democracy is not a spectator sport. -- Randy Schutt, Inciting Democracy

Public Issues Forums

Public Issues Forums are presented in the context of Local (LIF) and National Issues Forums (NIF). They are conducted in a deliberative dialogue format to facilitate civil conversation on these difficult issues facing the nation and our local communities. It is important to understand deliberative dialogue allows people with different points of view to come together, discuss issues, hear one another, find common ground for action, and judge the results together.

One result is, when one leaves a forum one does so with a more complete way of understanding that issue and the other points of view associated with it. Another way to say it, one leaves a forum with "new knowledge." This "new knowledge" is often characteristic of a more inclusive understanding of others' viewpoints of what is in their self-interest and allows participants to develop very valid reasons for understanding the issue as others’ do and allowing one to respect them for their thinking. Often, one's own self-interest is transformed and is the form the "new knowledge" takes, so there is complementary action instead of compromise or consensus. Finally, the PIF serves as an educational entity to teach people a different way to facilitate democracy, leadership, and action in their communities.

The Center's Robert E. Parilla Community Leadership Development program area provides other formats for community conversation to aid in community decision-making.

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