In a consensus conference selected heterogenous groups of ordinary citizens engage in intensive dialogue with experts to find an answer to a question that arouses political or social controversy.

Suitable

• for interested non-specialists to tackle controversial issues with the assistance of experts
• for gauging public opinion on a particular issue

Sequence of events

Roughly 10 to 30 interested citizens, representing the population as closely as possible with respect to age, sex, educational attainments and occupation, are selected.
With the aid of background reports, newspaper articles, commentaries etc. they get to grips with the question at issue, and meet together twice to prepare for the conference.
The consensus conference itself is spread over three consecutive days. Experts present the subject-matter in depth; the participants have opportunities to question the experts and to discuss the issue. Finally the participants draw up a report in writing with their consensus standpoint, recommendations and justification for these. The report is presented to decision-makers.

Participants

Selected citizens, experts, politicians and administrators

Point to note

• There is a risk that, under pressure to reach a consensus, the participants may be able to agree only on a “lowest common denominator“.