Frequently Asked Questions
At Dialogue Partners we are often asked questions about civic engagement and our public engagement services. We have gathered common questions and answers below but you are welcome to contact us with your specific questions about public participation and stakeholder engagement.
Q: What is civic engagement?
A: Civic engagement (also referred to as public engagement, community engagement, stakeholder engagement and citizen engagement) involves a two-way process of dialogue that brings people together in a discussion, problem-solving or decision-making process on an issue that affects or interests them.
Q: What is facilitation?
A: Facilitation is the art of creating and using a structured thinking or planning process to enable a group to explore individual and collective wisdom, understand their own needs, and achieve that want to accomplish. A facilitator focuses on process and holds the space so the dialogue flows to the stated objective.
Q: What is dialogue?
A: Dialogue is a conversation between equals who come together in a mutual quest for deeper insight and clarity in an atmosphere of respect with no predetermined outcomes.
Q: What is process?
A: We consider process as any type of structured thinking or planning that is created to achieve some type of forward movement on an issue.
