#MONTHLYMYTH: STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT IN DELIBERATIVE PROCESSES

#MONTHLYMYTH: STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT IN DELIBERATIVE PROCESSES

We’re kicking off our 2019 #MonthlyMyth series by addressing a topic we’re often asked about. We’ve noticed that it’s an issue that makes organisations nervous.  There’s a fear that (where a randomly selected panel or jury is involved) stakeholder and interest groups will be cut out of the conversation and oppose the process or decision.  

Luckily, not only is it important to incorporate these groups in a deliberative process, there’s also lots of ways they can be involved.    Today we’re exploring why it’s a good idea to do so, and giving you seven ways to bring them on your deliberative journey.

UNDEF & NDF SET SIGHTS ON DEMOCRACY BEYOND ELECTIONS

UNDEF & NDF SET SIGHTS ON DEMOCRACY BEYOND ELECTIONS

The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) has appointed the newDemocracy Foundation to undertake a pioneer project centred around doing democracy differently.  It’s an announcement that has us excited.  Today we’re shining a spotlight on this project, which has potential to inspire democratic change and the adaption of deliberative engagement principles across the globe.

newDemocracy’s Executive Director Iain Walker provided us with some insights into what we can expect from what is shaping up to be an innovative and impactful project.

#MONTHLYMYTH: LOW INFLUENCE = LOW RISK

#MONTHLYMYTH: LOW INFLUENCE = LOW RISK

This month’s myth addresses mistaken assumption that offering people less influence over a decision translates to the organisation having increased control over the process and outcomes. 

Some engagement processes lend themselves to a lower level of influence than others, However, if the intention is to reduce influence in an attempt to ‘manage’ the process, control outcomes, cut corners or minimise time and resources, organisations can find themselves in hot water. 

Read on for 6 key questions you can ask to determine the right level of influence and a list of helpful reading and resources. 

CASE STUDY: BALANCING PRICING AND FAIRNESS FOR ALL

CASE STUDY: BALANCING PRICING AND FAIRNESS FOR ALL

From April-July 2017, 35 randomly selected, everyday citizens came together to help Yarra Valley Water shape future services and prices.

The jury deliberated for more than 40 hours over five days across three months to address the remit, working together together to consider complex options and trade-offs, and challenge both their own assumptions and those of Yarra Valley Water.   

In this case study we explore challenges, learnings, insights and more that can be considered when planning for future deliberative engagement processes.

CONFERENCE FOR THE FACILITATION COMMUNITY

CONFERENCE FOR THE FACILITATION COMMUNITY

The 2018 Australasian Facilitators Newtwork (AFN) conference will reflect the organisation’s intention to to reflect on and celebrate the journey and legacy of its facilitation community.

Join facilitators from Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia and the Pacific for a celebration of diversity - diversity of people, perspectives and practices.

CRITICAL THINKING: IAP2A RESEARCH AWARD (+ FREE RESOURCES)

CRITICAL THINKING: IAP2A RESEARCH AWARD (+ FREE RESOURCES)

We’re very pleased to announce that, together with partner Dr. Lyn Carson of Deliberative Designs, we have won the 2018 IAP2 Australasia Core Values Award for Research. We feel very honoured to have had this exciting work recognised in this way.

To celebrate, we’re providing everyone with all the digital resources and materials that have been produced to date as a result of this work. Providing these resources to others is in line with our commitment to enhancing the quality of deliberative processes, and our aim to encourage quality engagement practice everywhere.

(continue to the bottom of this post to access all the resources).

BEHIND THE SCENES OF PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING

BEHIND THE SCENES OF PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING

Thank you to the panellists and participants who joined us for a brief journey behind the scenes of Participatory Budgeting (PB) at the 2018 IAP2 Australasia Conference this week. Delegates took part in a mini PB process before engaging in conversation with the panel and exploring lessons learned from recent projects across Australia and the UK.

We’ve provided some free PB resources at the bottom of this post - these resources are available to both participants from the conference and anyone who couldn’t make it to the session.

#MONTHLYMYTH: PREP THE PLAN FIRST

#MONTHLYMYTH: PREP THE PLAN FIRST

Want to get the best possible value out of the consultant or facilitator you engage?  Hoping to minimise wasted time, money and resources?  Seeking to deliver an engagement process that’s as effective as possible?  Our tip: don’t develop a detailed engagement methodology before you appoint your consultant. 

This month’s myth explores the potential consequences of this all too common error and provides 4 steps to achieving the best possible return on your consultant investment and delivering an effective process.

VIDEO: DELIBERATION JOURNEY - PARTICIPANTS' PERSPECTIVES

VIDEO: DELIBERATION JOURNEY - PARTICIPANTS' PERSPECTIVES

This one has been a long time in the making.  Finally, we can announce that our latest 'Deliberation Ready' video is here.  This edition is particularly exciting because, for the first time, we've interviewed participants from across multiple deliberative processes

Together, these 10 citizens share their unique perspectives and provide candid, first hand reflections on their journey - the challenges, the surprises, the highlights and more. 

A YEAR IN REVIEW: MOSAICLAB PROJECTS

A YEAR IN REVIEW: MOSAICLAB PROJECTS

Where did the last financial year go?  Time flies by when you're busy, and it seems there's never a dull moment for the MosaicLab team.   

When we looked across a year of MosaicLab projects and collated the numbers, it was surprising to see just how many hours we had facilitated, people we had worked with and projects we had undertaken.