Civil discourse entails demystifying matters that concern the public for better understanding. The civil discourse can be about politics, economy, and conflict resolution. But how does one engage in this fundamental activity that seeks to impact the public with crucial knowledge? Engaging in discussions and forums that deliberate on critical matters that affect the society or citizens of a country will need proper planning. Below is what you need to know about participating in civil discourse.
Have An Agenda
Agendas should be set before the meeting starts to avoid any last minute rush. The agendas can be public concerns such as complex litigation, resolving patent disputes, or employment discrimination. Setting the agenda of the meeting ensures that everything will move swiftly and within a specified timeframe. There will be time for speeches and questions from those parts of the civil discourse. Besides, an agenda ensures the meeting has meaning and achieves its aim. Considering people have different schedules and activities to undertake daily, they should not feel that they are wasting their time coming to a public forum. So, those who convene such meetups should have an agenda.
Conducive Location Is Mandatory
Find a conducive place to host a physical meeting. It should be devoid of any noise or unnecessary interruptions. That will make it easier for people to articulate their issues without disruptions. Take time to assess the available venues suitable for the meeting. Noise pollution can hinder a discussion from taking off. So, a peaceful location far away from agents of noise pollution is crucial. A soundproof room is ideal for meeting in an industrial or busy center. It will cancel out any noise emanating from outside. The meeting will go on peacefully with everyone able to hear the speech from the speakers. The speakers can also clearly hear the questions the members have.
For online meetings, proper infrastructure needs to be in place. Reliable internet connectivity and a mode for hosting the online function should be accessible to all participants. That ensures the civil discourse event goes on smoothly without unforeseen challenges.
Qualified Moderators Will Come In Handy
Experienced moderators provide guidance and set boundaries for the meeting. They ensure participants follow the set terms and conditions for the forum so that nobody suffers discrimination. The moderator will assign time to the speakers and open the floor for questions or discussions. But not any kind of moderator can be ideal for this exercise. Proper scrutiny of the available moderators is needed to ensure the right fit gets the job. It entails assessing their track records and achievements in holding civic education forums. A qualified individual to moderate the meeting should not be biased. Everyone deserves a chance to give their views but under the rules set for the forum.
Get Well-Informed Speakers
The agendas set for the forum will require speakers who have to demystify and dispense knowledge. If you are dealing with matters of contractual disputes, then an attorney well-versed in that field should be on board. The lawyer will dissect the matter for those interested to understand. But bringing someone who does not understand the agenda at hand, will only cause a lot of misinformation. So, the moderators must ensure they get experienced speakers.
Avoid Non Issues
Speakers might deviate from the topics set for the civil discourse forum. It is the work of the moderator to alert them so that no time goes to waste focusing on issues that are not beneficial to those attending the discussion. Even though the speakers might employ sarcasm to keep the participants engaged, they should not overdo it. Focusing on the main issues brings objectivity to the meeting. That is why you need an experienced speaker to avoid deviation from the main points. Remember, people want knowledge and understanding of crucial matters. That should be the motive of both the moderators and speakers.
Conclusion
Any meeting that should bring empowerment and knowledge to people requires proper planning. The place for the physical meeting, infrastructure for online discussion, moderators, and experienced speakers are important. Besides, there should be a list of agendas to act as a guide. Such factors will make the civil discourse a success. If there is no proper planning, the forum will only be a waste of time.