Four best practice principles

Deliberative public engagement, done well, has the potential to help resolve some of our most stuck collective challenges. By bringing the insights and lived experience of a diverse group of the public to bear on critical issues we can get to better decisions that have broader support – while reducing polarisation, increasing people’s agency, and revitalising our democracy. Realising that potential depends on deliberative engagement being done with integrity and earning genuine trust of the public and decision makers. This framework sets out four best practice principles and eleven standards for deliberative engagement:

A Clear Mandate

A clear purpose for the process, with real buy-in and accountability so recommendations are taken forward and meaningfully inform decisions, within conditions that make it possible for power to be genuinely shared.

Links to Standards: 1. Genuine Purpose, 2. Accountability, 3. Buy-in

Inclusion-focused

The process reflects the population it speaks for and actively considers at all stages - from recruitment and participant support, to framing and information giving - how to be genuinely accessible and inclusive for lesser heard voices.

Links to Standards: 4. Recruitment, 5. Inclusion & Accessibility

Well-designed Deliberation

A well designed process that supports a genuine journey of learning, deliberation and considered judgement for participants.

Links to Standards: 6. Balanced Information, 7. Impartial Facilitation, 8. Time for Learning and Deliberation, 9. Considered Judgement

Trust & Learning

Embedded through a transparent process, and evaluation that captures what’s learned to improve impact and future practice.

Links to Standards: 10. Transparency, 11. Integrity, Impact & Evaluation