How Collaboration Relates to Trends
Trends are the major forces shaping our society, our political climate and our world. The report suggests implications for state government and highlights the need for ways to overcome the fragmentation of government organizations and programs by using collaborative governance mechanisms. Representative Ralph Becker, Utah, described how the Public Solutions System, recently launched at policyconsensus.org, works.
Roger Moe, PCI Board member, pointed out that many legislators are unaware of the powerful role they can play by convening collaborative processes to address community problems or resolve policy disputes. According to Moe, when leaders act as conveners, they involve people in finding effective solutions. To do that requires leaders to take a different approach, inviting people to help frame the issues, identify options for solutions, and even reach agreements about how they will be part of the solution.
The presentation generated a lively discussion among the 30 legislators who attended the session. Many described their own successes as conveners and gave examples of situations where they had experienced difficulties. Examples ranged from disputes over water supply to issues of habitat protection.