The Civic Life Institute provides a working format for people to learn,
understand, and respect the opinions of others--the first crucial steps
toward working together on common problems. The emphasis at the
institute is on participation. In general sessions and small group
sessions, you will focus on citizen democracy by learning skills and
techniques you can use in your community and in your work:

• learn how to moderate deliberative discussion of public issues.
• learn a practice for dealing with local and community issues.
• discuss strategies for organizing and maintaining forums.
• engage in deliberation of issues with diverse citizens.
• network with others who are working toward public involvement.
• apply skills to community-building in your group or region.

In a democracy, citizens must come together to find answers they can
live with--while acknowledging that individuals have differing
opinions. Public deliberation helps people find areas where their
interests and goals overlap. In community forums, with the help of a
neutral moderator, participants work through multiple perspectives on
an issue, sharing their opinions, their concerns, and their knowledge.
They consider a broad range of policy options, examine the likely
consequences of each, and begin forming a shared perspective that
makes it possible to work toward common goals.

Participants at the Institute will take part in National Issues Forums,
a national network of locally-organized discussions on issues that face
the country, and in forums on issues of particular interest to West
Virginians. The forums are nonpartisan and do not advocate a
particular solution to any public issue. Instead, they allow citizens to
determine what directions they want to take, individually and as part
of the community.

Over the past decade, thousands of West Virginians have taken part in a growing network of nonpartisan forums and study circles on issues important to our communities, our state, and our nation. These
discussions take place in high schools and colleges, religious
organizations, women’s clubs, literacy programs, libraries, and civic
organizations on issues ranging from free speech to health care to
juvenile violence. In addition to working toward making public choices together, participants report additional benefits:

Community and civic groups use forums to work with the
public in addressing the concerns and insights of citizens.

Teachers report that forums enhance their students’ ability to
think critically and to listen carefully to the ideas of others.

Literacy tutors engage students in relevant issues using
abridged materials written specifically for new readers.

Faith communities use forums to examine concerns about
public issues through the lens of their faith.

Libraries sponsor forums to provide programs that bring
diverse people together in a truly public space.

Women's clubs use forums to discover ways to connect the
work of their groups to the needs of their communities.

Students engage in forums to explore their views about current
issues and to participate fully as citizens in their schools and
communities.

Public agencies convene forums so that citizens' concerns
and views can set directions for their work.