Skills to support democratic participation

Critical thinking

Critical thinking is a skill that enables a person to analyse and evaluate existing information regarding a given topic. It is about attempting to shed light on its accuracy and to reach an understanding of any bias it might contain. Being a critical thinker involves several skills, such as:

• Reflectiveness to think in abstract terms.
  For example, when someone assesses policies or news and is able to understand the broader social impact, rather than focusing on potential personal benefits.
• Flexibility to doubt one’s own perceptions or opinions, accepting the possibility of other options.
  For instance, when a person engages in a debate and is open to considering alternative opinions on crucial topics, and is able to realise that their initial viewpoint might be incomplete.
• Logical thinking to identify bias in any argumentation.
  For example, identifying bias in media reporting and engaging in cross-checking the facts to form a more informed opinion.
• Motivation and curiosity to explore knowledge.
  For instance, researching voting policies or bank loan plans in order to make an informed decision.

Active listening

Active listening is focusing on and paying conscious attention to what is being said and to the person who is saying it. Some key elements of active listening are:

• Avoiding any value judgement while paying attention to words, gestures and feelings.
• Mirroring and reformulating what the other person says, avoiding any interpretation.
• Trying to understand the person’s experience and identifying their emotions and needs.

Non-Violent Communication

Non-Violent Communication (NVC) is a communication approach that promotes empathy and understanding. It helps people connect with their needs and those of others, minimising conflict and fostering cooperation. Ultimately, the goal for NVC is to develop tools to reshape how any given situation is understood.It is also about interacting with oneself and others in constructive ways. It consists of four key components:

• Observation: paying attention to what is happening without judgement.
• Feelings: reflecting about how the people involved feel about the situation.
• Needs: pointing out what desires or needs everyone has.
• Requests: stating clear, doable actions to meet those needs.

A practice: restorative circles

The consolidation of a community culture is a key aspect in promoting participation as a right, where people actively participate in decision-making, problem-solving and conflict resolution. Such a community culture can be based on the democratic dialogic practices of restorative justice, namely “restorative circles”. This practice is about bringing the people involved in a conflict, with mediators, together to express and listen to concerns, opinions and ideas. The shared goal is to manage these concerns, opinions and ideas, and to transform the conflict and its causes.

Those involved need to agree to a set of ground rules which include having respect for each other and turn-taking to speak. All the participants are then asked to answer the following questions:

• What happened?
• What were you thinking at that moment?
• What have you thought about since then?
• What could you have done differently?
• Who has been affected and how?
• What do you think should happen now?
• What do you need?

Once everyone has expressed themselves according to the questions, solutions that address everyone’s needs and wishes are brainstormed and decisions made. For restorative circles to work properly, the facilitator and participants need to display a set of key skills:

• Active listening: paying attention to others without interrupting.
• Empathy: understanding and validating others’ emotions, focusing on their feelings and needs.
• Communication: expressing thoughts clearly and respectfully, once again focusing on needs and feelings.
• Problem-solving: collaborating to find constructive and flexible solutions to challenges.
• Self-regulation: managing one’s emotions to participate positively during the discussions.