What is it and how is it different?

Through face-to-face meetings, people learn more about each other's view point and discover they have things in common – “common ground”.

They weigh the pros and cons,
trade-offs and consequences of their choices.

This leads to a collective effort to address the issue - even though people do not necessarily agree with each other.

Explore this web site and read more about our program and training opportunities where communities members can learn about deliberation and the variety of settings where deliberative decision-making can be used, including public forums in your community.

Discover ways you can get involved and learn a different way for people to decide. Please contact us with your comments and questions.

Sandra S Hodge, Ph.D.
Program Director, Discovering Common Ground:
      Missouri Communities Deliberate  
Community Development Program
University of Missouri Extension  
230 Gentry Hall
University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65203
PH:  573-882-4435          FAX: 573-882-5127