As identified in the IAP2 structure, empowerment is frequently seen as penultimate goal of an engagement effort. Ultimately empowerment refers to placing either the decision making authority or the responsibility for implementing a particular solution in the hands of stakeholders.
Selected examples include:
The Citizens Jury
process is a method for gathering a microcosm of the public, having them attend five days of hearings, deliberate among themselves and then issue findings and recommendations on the issue they have discussed. www.jefferson-center.org
AmericaSpeaks' 21st Century Town Meetings
enable the general public to give those in leadership positions direct, substantive feedback on key issues. Each meeting engages hundreds or thousands of general interest citizens at a time, utilizing innovative technology to effectively and quickly summarize citizen input. www.americaspeaks.org
