Page 200 - Enabling National Initiatives to Take Democracy Beyond Elections

198 A Project of the UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF) Step 9: Presentation and Closing 25 26 Presentation to decision maker by participants The group should decide themselves who they think should present the final report. At most 3 participants should give a quick speech re-capping the process and telling the story to decision makers. This is a powerful aspect of the process because it is a chance for everyday people to speak directly to decision makers on a topic that they have spent a lot of time learning and deliberating on. It conveys the ability of everyday people and gives additional weight to the recommendations in the report. Closing Wrapping up a long deliberation often involves the decision maker reiterating their commitment to the authority they gave the participants at the outset. They will obviously not have had time to read the entire report already, but an affirmation of the process keeps that trust between participants and decision makers. Participants should be given their own opportunity to reflect on the process. A good way of doing this is by allowing each person to say a few words while everyone stands in a circle. This is often a nice affirmation of the integrity of the process.