Fundamental to any deliberative process is the ability for the group to discuss the issue and reason with one another over the challenges and trade-offs involved.
Vulnerabilities with Examples:
- Political Polarisation: Inability to engage in productive dialogue due to entrenched views.
- Historical Polarisation: Past traumas affecting current discussions.
Mitigating Techniques/Strategies, with Examples:
- Use structured dialogue techniques to manage polarised discussions.
- Integrate historical context and sensitivities into the dialogue process.
- Use pre-deliberation work to lay the foundation for deliberation on an issue.
- In Bosnia, organisers created an online video resource for participants with expert testimonies on key issues around the topic and on foundations on inclusive deliberation.