Why learn NIF Basics?
National Issues Forums (NIF) help people become re-engaged in the political process by providing a place for public deliberation to occur. Public deliberation happens where people come together to talk about important community problems, weighing as many options as they have available and then deciding on a course of action that makes everyone a winner. Now widely used in communities and organizations throughout the U.S. and in developing democracies, the deliberative decision making is invaluable in uncovering the overlapping values that lead groups to find common ground as a foundation for personal and public action. The NIF Basics Workshop starts the learning process for the local practice of deliberative decision making.
What's Involved in the NIF Basics Workshop?
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The components and flow of National Issues Forums |
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Information in issue books and moderators' guides |
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Methods and skills in moderating and recording forums |
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The unique characteristics of “deliberative dialogue” |
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How to generate 'deliberative conversations' in a variety of settings |
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Partnership opportunities in your community and across the country |
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Accessing resources related to civic engagement in public decisions |
This workshop will be scheduled and customized for groups with at least eight (8) participants. Contact the NIF faculty at director@nifica.org if you would like to discuss organizing a workshop for your group. California faculty can schedule on-site NIF Basics training for organizations and community leaders with the interest in developing deliberative decision making in a local context. Contracts will include a stipend, travel expenses and materials.
If you are an interested individual without contact with a community group, contact us so we can meet your needs with a group in your area or at a future workshop at UC Davis.
© 2006 California NIF Network