We’ll never forget 2022.

It was the year MosaicLab launched its very own book: Facilitating Deliberation – A Practical Guide.

Did you catch the book launch in July, featuring appearances from former SA Premier Jay Weatherill and Irish citizens’ assembly guru Art O’Leary? Scroll down for video of the main event and download a free resource of insights, reflections and ideas captured from the impressive bunch of industry experts who attended the launch.

OUR BOOK went WORLDWIDE in 2022

Since it went on sale in both print and digital formats in July, our book has generated some humbling and positive feedback from readers all over the world.

People have told us that they like the book’s simplicity and the fact they can open it up to any page and easily dive in to a new learning.

Even people who are not facilitators or engagement practitioners are getting value from the book.

They might come from an organisation that is considering using deliberative engagement to solve a problem or progress a project, and they appreciate gathering insights into the process.

They also gain a valuable understanding of best-practice facilitation fundamentals, which they might even apply themselves or it means they can 'talk the language' and are better able to outsource these skills when they need It.

We are finding the book is not only reinforcing the role and value of facilitators, but also giving others outside the practice a deeper appreciation of the craft of facilitation and the role good process plays in bringing democracy to life.

BUY THE BOOK

DOWNLOAD THE EXCERPT

READER REVIEWS

Marjan Ehsassi - Future of Democracy Fellow (non-resident), Berggruen Institute, USA/Canada

"I study the impact of deliberative platforms on participants. I am especially interested in the integrity of voice and the design of processes that provide citizens with meaningful input. Across the board, deliberative facilitation and facilitating deliberation are inconsistent! This book is essential for anyone who is designing and implementing a citizens' assembly. It provides thoughtful and comprehensive guidance at the macro and micro levels and fills a much-needed gap in our work!"

Lari Karreinen - Facilitator, Osana, Finland

“I enjoyed reading the details on various aspects of deliberation arising from the long experience of the authors. Things like how important the clarity of a remit is, and the several examples of the difficulties of making it, are very useful. Lessons from the field complement the best practices in a way that makes reading this a profound learning experience.

“The book 'Facilitating Deliberation' is not only about facilitating techniques but more of a handbook of the whole process with plentitude of best practices and lessons from the field that I enjoyed reading and reflecting on my own experiences.

“I can't wait to get these lessons into action in my next deliberative process.”

Thank you Marjan and Lari for your incredibly kind words. It’s so exciting to think some of the lessons we share in the book are being put into practice in Finland, Canada and the USA.

COMING SOON: FACILITATING DELIBERATION MASTERCLASS

There is an opportunity to see the book come to life as part of a special training event we’re delivering in February next year.

We are partnering with the newDemocracy Foundation (nDF) to teach people how to run a citizens’ assembly by experiencing one in real time. For those who wish to take it to the next level they can then unpack the process over three additional days and enter a coaching program with Keith Greaves and Nicole Hunter over the following year.

We’re offering this unique learning opportunity to train the next generation of facilitators and engagement practitioners.

Just like the book, this training affirms our commitment to advancing the practice of deliberative engagement everywhere.

The Facilitating Deliberation Masterclass is happening Melbourne in February 2023 and places are limited.

To choose your level of involvement (practitioner: two days, or facilitation masterclass: the full five days) find out more here:

Learn more

OUR BIG BOOK LAUNCH: Oh, what a night!

The Hon. Jay Weatherill, former Premier of South Australia, and Art O’Leary, former Secretary of Ireland’s Convention on the Constitution, were keynote speakers at the launch of our book Facilitating Deliberation – A Practical Guide in July 2022.

More than 120 people from around the world gathered on Zoom for the event, which was interactive and involved Speed Dialogue-style conversations in various breakout rooms.

With so many great minds in the room at the launch, we couldn't miss the opportunity to gather up the wisdom shared and summarise it into a free resource: Insights, Reflections and Ideas from speakers and participants.