Goals

This temporary hub is being hosted by Participedia to gather and share resources supporting public engagement processes that respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. We are focusing on the design, implementation, and analysis of public deliberations that explore citizens’ thoughts and values on possible trade-offs among health, privacy, and economic concerns as societies improve—and move beyond—policies and practices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including future social and political changes prompted by the pandemic. The repository includes resources such as process design examples, briefing materials, and participant survey instruments.

Rationale

The COVID-19 pandemic led to public health measures for crisis management that included business restrictions and closures as well as physical distancing requirements. The (at least) partial success of these measures in managing the spread of the virus has opened the door to discussions about how those restrictions might begin to be relaxed.

The success of these measures will depend in large part upon citizens’ trust in one another, as well as their confidence that their governments are making the right decisions, including those that involve trade-offs between opening the economy and society, and the potential impacts of those openings, particularly on vulnerable populations. Decisions guided by citizens’ considered views of such trade-offs are likely to be more legitimate and thus more effective.

This initiative aims to share conceptual, organizational, and methodological resources that can elicit the informed and considered views of citizens. The pandemic has also prompted thinking about the shape of the future after the Covid-19 experiences. [See “Covid-19 Response” for other forms of participatory action on Covid-19.]

Methods

The Project does not endorse any specific approach to public deliberation. It recognizes that local needs, cultures, and experiences will guide each group that initiates public engagement on these issues. The Project will, however, provide a means for everyone involved to learn from others.

Kinds of resources we propose to feature

Here are some examples of the types of resources we propose to feature:

• Knowledge of organizations across the globe that are promoting or organizing citizen deliberations on responses to Covid-19

• Examples from various organizations that can serve as templates for organizing and leading citizen engagement processes

• Specific methods and tools for conducting deliberative processes online

• Survey instruments and core questions to capture pre- and post-engagement opinions

• Samples of supporting materials that provide participants with accessible, accurate, balanced, and nonpartisan information about COVID-19 and possible responses to the pandemic

• And more …