Resource Name: America Speaks

Resource URL: http://www.americaspeaks.org/

Resource Description: America Speaks is a not-for-profit organisation that runs large-scale deliberative events to involve citizens in public decisions.

This is what they say:

'Citizens expect and deserve to be involved in public decisions that most significantly impact them. Democratic deliberation � citizens working with one another, through dialogue, to come to a judgment about the best course of action on a given public issue � is a central part of our democratic tradition. And today�s decision makers are slowly becoming aware of the vital knowledge, perspectives, and support citizens can offer.

AmericaSpeaks develops innovative deliberative tools that work for both citizens and decision makers. These tools give citizens an opportunity to have a strong voice in public decision making within the increasingly short timeframes required of decision makers. As a result, citizens can impact decisions and those in leadership positions can make more informed, lasting decisions.'