Handbook on Citizen Engagement: Beyond Consultation - SASANet

Appendix A. An Overview of Public Participation Methods (cont’d)Method Description Strengths Limitations ExamplesCitizens’dialogues• The Canadian PolicyResearch Network has beenusing the Citizens’ dialoguemethodology since the mid-1990s.• A citizens’ dialogue bringstogether a group of citizens towork through a workbook orguide that includes basicinformation on the issue(small group deliberation)• The group moderatorencourages participants toconsider and reflect on eachof the viewpoints provided.• A dialogue session can lastup to three hours. Theparticipants move fromdefining values and identifyingcommon ground to puttingforward concrete steps thatcan constructively informpolicy development.• Strives to inform policy andprogram development with anexpression of citizens’underlying values• Gives participants anopportunity to listen to otherviews, enlarge and possiblychange their own point of view• Provides information in theform of a workbook or guidecarefully crafted to representseveral perspectives on anissue, lending a layer ofcomplexity and struggle to thediscussion• Small size of individual groupsand their non-intimidatingnature allows for innovativeideas and active participation.• Although sample size is largeand random, ensuringrepresentativeness is difficult• Process requires significantresources and intensive timecommitment for participantsand organizers.• Can be difficult to generateneutral and complete briefingmaterialMany citizens dialogues whereorganized in Canada on verydifferent issues:• National Dialogue andSummit for Young Canadians• Citizens' Dialogue on theLong-term Management ofUsed Nuclear Fuel• Citizens' Dialogue on theOntario Budget Strategy2004-2008• Citizens' Dialogue on the Kindof Canada We Want• Citizens' Dialogue on theFuture of Health Care inCanada• Asking Canadian NGOs WhatMatters For Aging• Quality of Life in Canada• The Society We WantKey references on deliberative polls:Canadian Policy Research Networks. [http://www.cprn.org/en/theme.cfm?theme=4].Maxwell J., Rosell S. and Forest PG. “Giving Citizens a Voice in Healthcare Policy in Canada”. British Medical Journal 2003, 326: 1031-1033.Source: François-Pierre Gauvin and Julia Abelson. 2006. Primer on Public Involvement. Toronto: Health Council of Canada.54 CANADIAN POLICY RESEARCH NETWORKS