The Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) is involved in a project aimed at encouraging young people to explore issues and concerns about globalization. Named ‘A World in Common: Talking about what matters in a borderless world,’ this project seeks to serve as a catalyst for encouraging Manitoba’s youth to gain a better understanding of the nature and importance of global issues. To accomplish this objective, MCIC is holding Public Deliberation forums with students enrolled in the Senior 4 ‘World Issues’ course, throughout the province. These forums may be offered in both official languages.

The purpose of this project is to provide Manitoba youth with an opportunity to explore in greater depth the issue of globalization and to gain a better understanding of how this issue relates to their personal experiences. As well, through this project, MCIC hopes to build the knowledge and capacity of youth to undertake consensus-building deliberation and to participate in public discussions about global issues. The perspective which MCIC brings to this project is neutral, reflecting a belief that everyone’s opinions about globalization are valid and deserve equal attention.

Public deliberation differs significantly from debate, and to a lesser extent from facilitated discussion. The goal of public deliberation is to bring together people from different backgrounds and perspectives in order to discuss a particular issue in greater depth. With the assistance of a trained moderator, participants are encouraged to share their views and build upon the views of others in an atmosphere of mutual respect rather than confrontation. Extensive, prior knowledge about the issue discussed is not required as, ultimately, deliberation is about values; participants are encouraged to make connections between the issue examined and their own experiences. Public deliberation encourages participants to consider grey areas and to recognize the contradictions and long-term consequences of their opinions. It assists individuals to clarify what is most important to them, improve their understanding of a particular issue, find common ground from which alternatives may be developed, and begin to make connections between local and global issues.

Through the Public Deliberation process, students will be able to explore a complex issue, globalization, in a manner which will assist them to gain an understanding of the diversity of concerns involved. By becoming more aware of the grey areas which exist when seeking a response to globalization, students will be able to move away from a black versus white understanding of the issues involved. The process will also encourage students to become engaged in international development issues and Canada’s role in globalization, making them better global citizens. In addition, the public deliberation process can be very empowering for students. They are presented with various options regarding how they and their community may respond to globalization, and will be able to decide which of these choices they think is most appropriate. As well, the findings of this project will be forwarded onto decision makers at the different levels of government, enabling youth to have their voices heard in policy development.

MCIC is also planning to host a Youth Forum on globalization in the early spring. Through this forum, students will be able to explore further the issue of globalization, meet other Manitoban youth, and directly convey their ideas and concerns to decision makers. Students invited to participate in the Youth Forum will be chosen in part from those met through the public deliberation processes initiated in the high schools.

A public deliberation forum takes about two hours (however we can modify it for the time available). Each session will be guided by a trained moderator and a ‘recorder,’ both of whom will be provided by MCIC. Students will be provided with a handbook, which they do not necessarily have to read prior to the forum. This handbook sets out three different responses to globalization which Canadians may make. These choices then frame the ensuing discussion.

In addition to the moderator and recorder, MCIC will provide all materials needed to support the delivery of a public deliberation, such as the handbook. MCIC may also provide interested teachers with lead up materials, such as a case study or lesson plan which could serve as an introduction to some of the issues raised by the process of globalization.

Formed in 1974, MCIC is a coalition of thirty-five church and other voluntary
non-governmental organizations which promote international development through
overseas projects and development education in Manitoba. All of these organizations
are committed to:

• respect, empowerment and self-determination for all peoples;

• development that protects the world’s environment; and

• global understanding, cooperation and social justice.

MCIC’s mission as a coordinating structure is to promote public awareness, member
interaction and advocacy on international issues; and to administer funds for
international development. Our organization is a member of the Canadian Council for
International Cooperation. For more information about MCIC, you may access our
website at www.escape.ca/~mcic