Housing affordability, gender equality and the new energy future are just some of the tough issues society is facing around the world.
TACKLING THE TOUGH QUESTIONS
We’re facing a long list of problems that seem to have us stuck. Politicians often can’t get traction, because there’s no right answer, and they struggle to make decisions that people support or trust.
But what if we could agree on ways to solve them?
We can - and people already have!
We support people to contribute to decisions that communities and decision makers can stand behind. Through deliberative engagement, everyday people from all walks of life can weigh up complex information, consider many perspectives and come to agreement on solutions and recommendations that are in the interest of the many, not the few.
It’s inspiring to think what’s possible. We’re facilitating more and more issues of national significance , and, when we look at what’s already happening in places like Ireland, where deliiberative democracy has been harnessed to address sensitive and difficult issues such as abortion, climate change, aging populations, marriage equality, biodiversity loss , drug use and more, we know that Australia’s journey into national deliberative conversations has some way to go.
Deliberation can enable us to have the conversations we need to have and lead to better outcomes for all of us.
Ready to get inspired? Below are just a small selection of a few of the ‘wicked problems’ we’ve helped decison-makers and their communities to address through deliberative processes.
How can we increase affordable housing in the City of Melbourne?
40 randomly selected citizens answered this question.
In 2023, a representative peoples panel deliberated and agreed on recommendations that the Melbourne City Council will use to inform decision-making around affordable housing. The panel’s final day of deliberations was held on Saturday 18 November, where the panel presented their recommendations to decision-makers.
How can we plan for the new energy future while providing affordable services that meet changing customer and community needs?
everyday citizens in Queensland answered this question.
In 2023, two representative ‘voice of the customer’ panels in Queensland deliberated and agreed on recommendations that will be used by electricity distributors Energex and Ergon Energy Network to prepare proposals for the Australian Energy Regulator.
What gender equality quotas are fair? How can they best be implemented?
80 randomly selected citizens answered this question.
In 2018, a representative citizens’ jury deliberated and agreed on 12 recommendations that were used by the former Minister for Women to inform Victoria’s new Gender Equality Act.
what does dying well look like and how can we help people achieve this?
27 everyday citizens answered this question.
In 2018, representative community panel deliberated and agreed on a definition of ‘dying well’ and 16 recommendations that the North Western Primary Health Network used to decide how to fund and support community services.
How can water and the environment be protected and respected for and by present and future generations?
40 randomly selected citizens answered this question.
A representative citizens’ jury deliberated and agreed on 12 recommendations that were used to develop Yarra Valley Water’s 2023 - 2028 Price Submission.
GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR A BETTER FUTURE
We’re part of international conversations, efforts and movements to enhance democracy through deliberative practice. These partnerships, connections and efforts drive us forward, inspire us and help us to keep thinking about what’s next and learning about innovative ways to increase our own impact.
One of the key ways we contribute is through our membership on the Democracy R&D international group which has a member base spanning 30 countries across six continents. The group is committed to bringing everyday people back into public decision making around the globe.
FURTHER READING AND FREE RESOURCES
Interested in deliberative practice? We have resources for organisations and engagement professionals at every stage of the deliberation journey.
From a simple deliberation ready test through to a local government deliberation guide and our book Facilitating Deliberating - A Practical Guide, we are here to support you to enhance your practice and help you to do decision-making differently.
Plus we have a huge range of videos, downloads and publications - and they almost all FREE! Hooray. A great place to start is a deliberative democracy resource hub.
ready to upskill?
If you’d like to learn first-hand how to put all the theory into your kind of practice, our MosaicLab Academy offers courses in engagement, facilitation, deliberation and conflict; all delivered by our leading practitioners drawing on real experience in the field.
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