Page 73 - Enabling National Initiatives to Take Democracy Beyond Elections

Answer: Deliberative processes are complementary to existing political systems. This means that decision makers are involved in setting the parameters that participants work within and they ultimately make the final decision as to whether or not they will implement the recommendations of a deliberative process. They remain central to the decision process. Answer: Stakeholders and interest groups have multiple avenues of involvement. They can be part of a reference group, can contribute information, can provide their own answer for the consideration of the jury, can have the chance to recommend speakers or even present to participants, and they can always observe the process as well. Answer: You cannot undertake a deliberative process if you are not prepared to completely share the problem. If you still want to open up a specific part of the process you will need to be very clear about why some parts are confidential or off limits. Transparency is key here (as it is throughout the process). 71 Common Blocker: “Decision makers have been elected/appointed to make decisions – it’s their job and they can’t be taken out of the decision process” Common Blocker: “Stakeholders and interest groups need to be involved” Common Blocker: “We can’t share all the ‘confidential’ information required”