By using the Wisdom Council Process government leaders can efficiently and inexpensively …
- Solve difficult conflicted public issues (e.g. Controversial public project, Healing polarization; Funding Education, etc.)
- Involve and educate mainstream citizens
- Transcend partisan battling
- Overcome special interest domination
- Heal longstanding conflict
- Build trust in government ... by solving the underlying issues
- Build shared vision and values
- Improve government effectiveness
- Build the spirit of community … where people appreciate and value differences
Consider three different approaches to involving citizens: 1) Community Meetings; 2) Deliberative Councils 3) Wisdom Councils.
Wisdom Council examples:
Video example #1 -- Vorarlberg Austria
Listen to this example described by Dr. Manfred Hellrigl, Director of the Office of Future Related Issues, Vorarlberg Austria, to an audience in Sweden. This is an excerpt of his talk: "From Consumers to Citizens".
Listen to this example described by Dr. Manfred Hellrigl, Director of the Office of Future Related Issues, Vorarlberg Austria, to an audience in Sweden. This is an excerpt of his talk: "From Consumers to Citizens".
Or see the entire 55 minute version of his presentation.
Also, to help others become aware of the Wisdom Council process, the Vorarlberg government sponsored two conferences on “Surfing Democracy.”
Video example #2 -- Salzburg Austria
In this video conversation Joseph Hörmandinger, staff to the Salzburg Parliament, describes an example. “Using the Wisdom Council to Reform Democracy”.
One strategy to get started
One simple, low-risk, low-cost strategy for government leaders to spark “Community Democracy” [see the flier] is to convene a public seminar on Dynamic Facilitation and The Wisdom Council in your local area. This way ... community leaders and government leaders can learn the new leadership skills together, work on community issues, become a community of practice afterward, and consider convening a Wisdom Council process.
Resources:
Also, to help others become aware of the Wisdom Council process, the Vorarlberg government sponsored two conferences on “Surfing Democracy.”
Video example #2 -- Salzburg Austria
In this video conversation Joseph Hörmandinger, staff to the Salzburg Parliament, describes an example. “Using the Wisdom Council to Reform Democracy”.
One strategy to get started
One simple, low-risk, low-cost strategy for government leaders to spark “Community Democracy” [see the flier] is to convene a public seminar on Dynamic Facilitation and The Wisdom Council in your local area. This way ... community leaders and government leaders can learn the new leadership skills together, work on community issues, become a community of practice afterward, and consider convening a Wisdom Council process.
Resources:
- EXAMPLES: See the work of the Office of Future Related Issues in Vorarlberg Austria, directed by Dr. Manfred Hellrigl. Many WC examples from Vorarlberg are described at their website.
- FOR THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT IMAGINE HOW: The Wisdom Council process could be used to End Partisan Gridlock on contested issues like "money in politics," "health care," or "the national debt."
- ARTICLE: "WISE DEMOCRACY: A strategy for involving the citizens, transcending partisanship, and solving impossible public issues" by Jim Rough.
- Employees within the Washington State Dept. of Agriculture initiated the Wisdom Council Process throughout their department to enable substantive change, bringing new levels of community-spirit to the organization including both sides of the mountains.
- The Director of the State Department of Licensing used a Creative Insight Council to involve thousands of employees in developing the mission for the department.
Please Donate to the Center for Wise Democracy! ... All donations are tax-deductible. We are a 501-c3 organization.