Participants are the most important resource in deliberative engagement processes. In practice, this means that:
- Relevant policy- and decision-makers may need to take part directly in the process.
- Organisers should fulfil their ‘duty of care’ to support participants so that they know what is happening and will not be harmed or distressed by the process.
- Organisers and decision-makers share a clearly stated commitment to taking the process seriously and respecting the contribution of the participants.
- Participants feel valued, comfortable and welcome. They can rely on:
- a safe, non-confrontational atmosphere in which they can express their views freely;
- a well-managed process which gives them confidence in the exercise; and
- a friendly and informal environment where they feel they can speak openly.