Deliberative Dialogues
A public platform for open, safe and objective dialogues, asking tough questions & exploring different perspectives of complex issues.
For issues we face and have nowhere to talk about. For issues stuck in two-sided fights and shallow debates. For tough questions and complex issues we struggle to find common ground.
Our Mission
We're building tools and processes that help people achieve the results we truly desire in a collective and systematic way.
DetailsThis Program
Creating, facilitating and "aggregating results" of public dialogues exploring different perspectives of complex issues.
DetailsParticipate
For people who want to design a dialogue, participate and/or facilitate in a deliberative dialogue in their community.
DetailsLearn more about our mission.
We organize community-based programs and events with social, sporty, creative, or intellectual themes. Along with the fun, our activities are designed so kids and adults can experience and explore "big ideas" like strategy, community, confidence, happiness and more - in practical ways.
Deliberative Dialogues are a type of discussion where small groups of people (8-20) explore different perspectives of a complex issue. The objective is to think together, not to reach a conclusion but rather to explore places a conclusion might be found. Part of our mission is to create a platform for discourse for issues we aren't exploring constructively, or at all.
Our Vision & Strategy
SpaceToPlay
Deliberative Dialogues
Deliberative dialogue is not debate, negotiation, brainstorming, or consensus-building. The objective is to think together, not to reach a conclusion but rather to explore places a conclusion might be found. It involves listening to other points of view, exploring new ideas and perspectives, searching for points of agreement, and bringing unexamined assumptions into the open.
Guided Discussion
Deliberative dialogues are a structured discussions with facilitator and participant guides.
Key Issue
They are focused on a key issue or question, like "What should we do about plastic?"
Perspective
Dialogues typically present three distinct perspectives or approaches to the key issue.
Diversity
The idea is to explore different approaches with people who have different opinions and perspectives.
Unexamined Assumptions
One of the core objectives is to bring unexamined assumptions to light so people can see more of the story.
Common Ground
The goal is to find points of agreement - common ideas or values – shared between the different perspectives.
Deliberative Dialogues
Our goal is to make it easy for people to DESIGN new dialogues and then DELIVER or PARTICIPATE in dialogues in their own community.
Participate
Design
This year, we're focused on delivering a series of deliberative dialogues in our own community. If you're interested in participating in one of the dialogues, check out the upcoming events below.
Our experience and feedback from participants will help us enhance the SpaceToPlay app to make it easy for people in other communities to design and deliver their own dialogues in their community.
- Social/Intellectual
- Ages 16+
Modern Relationships:
A Deliberative Dialogue
Are they falling apart, changing, or the same as they've always been? There is an idea that modern relationships are changing from "those from a generation or two ago". This dialogue explores the 'modern relationship' from three different perspectives.
Date: Coming this May
Time: Details TBD
Register (Free) For Details (coming soon!)Join Our Next Dialogue!
Let us know if you're interested in participating in this deliberative dialogue. Dialogues are a small group discussion with about 12-20 people and take about 2-3 hours. They follow a guide, so all you need to do is show up, listen, and share your ideas:)
This dialogue is free to participate and designed for ages 16+.
Our Dialogues
Modern Relationships
The Question
Modern relationships: Are they falling apart, changing, or the same as they've always been?
Context
There is an idea that modern relationships are changing from "those from a generation or two ago". Are relationships today more tenuous? Are we able to end them at a moment's notice? This dialogue is rated for ages 16+ so you'll need to register (for free) and be signed in to view details.
Register (Free) To View: Coming Soon!Public Deliberations on Trade
The Question
What is important when we think about how we trade?
Context
Most people now consume goods that are produced across many distant parts of the world. With 7+ billion people consuming goods, global trade has grown to be worth over four trillion dollars a year. Canadians think about trade in different ways.
This dialogue explores three perspectives: Local Trade, Fair Trade, and Free Trade.
Register (Free) To View: Coming Soon!Reflections On Water
The Question
How should we deal with issues of access to fresh water?
Context
About 2.5% of the water on earth (about 35 million cubic kilometres) is fresh water. Most of this is locked in permanent ice, snow and deep groundwater Less than 1% of all fresh water is the usable, annual renewable source. These resources are unevenly distributed, and consumption is increasing around the world – with many countries suffering shortages.
This dialogue explores three perspectives: Environmental (protect the environment), Access (make sure people have access to water), and Economic (recognize the economic value of water).
Register (Free) To View: Coming Soon!Public Deliberations on Transit
The Question
A good approach to developing a world-class transit system would be...
Context
This dialogue explores three different approaches to how we think about and design good public transportation. A POLICY approach that promotes ripdership through programs like "universal passes". A SERVICE approach that focuses on investing in expansion of services and infrastructure, and PROMOTING ALTERNATIVES which focuses on the need to education, promote and expand alternatives to driving cars.
Register (Free) To View: Coming Soon!Want Notifications of Upcoming Events?
There are four ways to get involved:
