PLA Preconference

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PLA Preconference

• Introduction to the Forum on
• Immigration
• 3/25/08

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Introduction The new Challenges of American
Immigration

• Now you will get an opportunity to experience a
  public forum on a wicked problem facing our
  country and our communitiesImmigration.
• NIF book--The New Challenges of American
  Immigration What Should We Do? (show copy)
• NIF produces several of these books a year, and
  is debuting a new one next month Paying for
  Health Care in AmericaHow Can We Make It More
  Affordable?
• Others include The Energy Problem Choices for
  an Uncertain Future
• Americans Role in the World Building a More
  Secure Future

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Immigration Issue

• The issue is framed around 3 approaches to this
  problem, based on how the public, not scholars or
  journalists, view the issue.
• You have before you an issue map from the book,
  which will serve as the basis of your
  discussions. It includes What should be done,
  dangers, drawback, and tradeoffs for each
  approach.

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Purpose of Public Deliberation

• To increase the likelihood of making sound,
  well-supported decisions about public issues
• Explore and test our ideas as we struggle with
  hard choices.
• Today, you will have an opportunity to deliberate
  about this topic.
• In your handouts is a matrix comparing the
  difference between debate, discussion, and
  deliberative dialogue.

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Deliberation

• Goal is shared understanding of the issue/problem
  among in order to take collective action.
• People listen to those you dont agree as well as
  those you do.
• Examines costs and consequences of even most
  favored approaches
• Opens possibilities for new solutions
• Tries to find solutions best for everyone.

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Differs from Debate and Discussion

• Debate is used to WIN by defending a particular
  position and highlighting differences of other
  options.
• Discussion is used to talk together without
  looking for a particular outcome
• Deliberative dialogues is useful when looking for
  the best ways to approach solving a problem

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The Outcome of Deliberation Common Ground (see
handout)

• Differs from compromise and consensus.
• Look for action that unites diverse positions
  into a common direction, even if they dont agree
  on specifics
• Goal is mutual understanding of differences and
  how we can act even with those differences
• Organic this mutual understanding is uncovered
  or emerges as people explore whats important to
  them

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Purpose of National Issues Forums

• The purpose of holding NIF forums is to foster
  dialogue and understanding about difficult issues
  facing our country and our community
• Through deliberative dialogue, we listen to each
  other for deeper understanding, not advocate a
  position or debate opponentstheres nothing to
  win!
• To discover that our personal values and concerns
  often overlap with those who hold very different
  perceptions of an issue and what should be done.
• Seek common ground by weighing options for
  addressing difficult problems with the help of
  trained moderators and issue guides

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Steps

• Show Videogive you a chance to get familiar with
  the 3 approaches to this issue
• After the video, you will experience a forum
• Short time, no trained moderator or recorder
• Taylor will charge you with doing this choice
  work
• The work of citizens
• Authentic talkwhat really matters to you
• Uncover the motivations behind what people are
  saying
• Not a debate/nothing to win
• Deliberate

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Introductions

• Small groups Moderator, recorder, time keeper
• Moderator Review Ground Rules
• Charge! Their work. To make choices about public
  issues
• Not a debate! Deliberate and weigh choices
• Deliberation necessary to solve problems with
  competing approaches
• Discuss all positions/Include perspective of
  people who arent here. Why arent they here?

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Ground Rules (show poster)

• Everyone is encouraged to participate
• No one or two individuals dominate
• The discussion will focus on the choices
• All the major choices or positions on the issue
  are considered
• An atmosphere for discussion and analysis of the
  alternatives is maintained
• We listen to each other

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Personal Stake

• Personal Stake (15 min)
• Go around room
• Ask questions e.g.
• Name (1st), what brought you to this forum?
• Personal experiences with this issue?
• What concerns you the most about this issue?
• Record Concerns
• How does this approach get at concerns?

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Choice Work

• Define the problem
• Broad RemedyCourse of Action
• Pros/Cons
• Cost Consequences
• Facts
• Trade offs
• Values

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Schedule

• Personal Stake (10 minutes)
• Each approach (10 minutes per approach30 minutes
  total)
• Discuss Common Ground--Reflections (15 minutes)

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Ground Rules--Poster

• Everyone is encouraged to participate
• No one or two individuals dominate
• The discussion will focus on the choices
• All the major choices or positions on the issue
  are considered
• An atmosphere for discussion and analysis of the
  alternatives is maintained
• We listen to each other

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Recording, p. 11

• Capture big ideas and themes
• Use speakers words as closely as possible
• Check to make sure youve gotten it right
• Capture tensions, tradeoffs, and common ground

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Role of the Moderator

• Welcome participants
• Present guidelines for the discussion and test
  for agreement
• Open the discussion with a general, broad
  question
• Encourage everyone to participate
• Ensure balanced participation
• Remain NEUTRAL on the content of the discussion

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APPROACHESThe New Challenges of American
Immigration

• 1 Is There To Much Difference
• 2 Remembering Americas Heritage
• 3 Putting Economics First