Community Conversations: deliberative democracy, education provision and divided societies

Abstract How can Community Conversations be used to give communities a voice in policy decisions? This paper is response the challenge of engaging citizens inclusive, meaningful dialogue and deliberation on potentially sensitive topics that affect their lives create bridge between individual, community perspectives. dual aim therefore individuals stronger key decisions affecting them provide stakeholders involved public decision-making genuine evidence base which they use inform work. even greater divided societies where consensus building difficult. The focuses Conversation methodology innovative Toolkit developed by authors as mechanism for deliberative democracy through citizen engagement important decisions. Particular attention given application relation educational change sustainability Northern Ireland, society. context are aligned with socio-ecological perspective provides conceptual lens better understand complex interplay spans individual (micro) (macro) levels. In addition providing theoretical foundation methodology, its specific presented discussed. It intended rubric adaptation approach wide range settings contexts order evoke change. value enabling constructive society explored throughout paper. Using an exemplar divergent views school provision were shared, we synthesise illustrate how our particularly suited closing gap parents/communities