A PROGRAM OF PUBLIC DELIBERATIVE FORUMS IN BRAZIL - Achievements and future
trends.
Jorge Edison Ribeiro* &
Vanessa Saboia Zappia**
*Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Brazil
**Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Brazil
The State Universities of Londrina and Ponta Grossa, Brazil are developing
a program of public political participation through the promotion of
citizen's deliberative forums. The main purpose of the program is to
develop people's skills to work on relevant issues and make difficult
choices together. The method used is largely based on the results of
worldwide research by the Kettering Foundation, which has also provided
technical support. Public talk is preceded by an extensive research of the
issue at hand, with the production of support material, which brings up the
different choices with their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the
tensions between the choices. We have been using printed and video taped
material, and we are soon to extend our methodology to the Internet.
Politically, economically and culturally diverse communities tackled
complex issues of local community relevance or nationwide interest. Results
are highly encouraging and there are several other organizations interested
in adopting the program.
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