Dialogue

The Council is directed by its Terms of Reference to ‘promote and participate in public dialogue on the cultural, ethical and spiritual dimensions of biotechnology’.

New Zealand has a long history of actively encouraging public participation in decision-making. Central and local government continually consult the public for their input on a wide range of issues. However, consultation and dialogue have different objectives, methods and potential outcomes.

Consultation is the opportunity for stakeholders to comment upon issues and proposals during the course of their development. Consultation implies that the power to make decisions, and the extent to which comments are taken into account, remains at the discretion of the authorising institution.

Dialogue however, does not start from a stated position that requires comment. Rather, it brings together people for the purpose of finding common ground, redefining the terms in which they operate, identifying areas of agreement and disagreement, and crucially, developing enhanced understanding of each other and of potential ways forward.

There is a wide range of different methods of dialogue: citizen’s juries, focus groups, consensus conferences, future search, citizens’ panels, deliberative polls, scenario workshops etc. What they share in common is an underlying commitment to open and reasoned dialogue as the most conducive way to tackling societal issues. When people are provided with opportunities to express their values and views in a considered and respectful way, people can not only be assisted to move beyond their own personal preferences to understanding the ‘big picture’, but also to thoroughly enjoy the experience.

Issues such as the use of embryos in research, or whether we should transfer human genes to other organisms are, by their nature, controversial and challenge our most deeply held values and convictions. These can be socially divisive and dialogue can assist in clarifying some of the issues working out how we can go forward. Dialogue:

• deepens individual and collective understanding by learning from each other
• helps participants to recognise commonalities
• cultivates tolerance
• encourages people to participate in decision-making
• promotes understanding between experts and ordinary citizens
• allows preferences and values to change or to be increasingly supported by knowledge.

There are many benefits to be gained from dialogue. However, to succeed dialogue requires time, resources and facilitation skills.

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