Using Community Forums to Increase Public Engagement that PromotesEquity and Social Justice: Tools for Engagement View Digital Media

Workshop Presentation
Carol Roberts,  Alicia Betancourt  

The plethora of issues people are facing around the world are complex but solvable when all voices contribute to the solution. Difficulties arise when people don’t know how to share or where, and especially when they feel they do not have a voice. People can become so polarized around an issue that they often fail to comprehend the common ground they might find with others that will lead to a shared solution. Deliberative forums are a powerful tool for exploring issues and encouraging dialogue that leads to community action. A trained facilitator can help frame an issue in a way that allows for diverse perspectives and more open-minded consideration. University of Florida Extension faculty working in community development are using these community forums to bring community members to more shared understanding, leading to more involved solutions and productive actions for public good. As members of the CIVIC (Community Voices, Informed Choices) team, they seek to engage community members and foster positive relationships by identifying the core values related to an issue and explore those issues through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The presenters share resources and tools for convening successful community forums and invite discussion of appropriate uses for these forums in academic and community settings.