The most important tool for the facilitator and the participants are the Ground Rules for DEMOS Dialogue. The facilitator presents the rules to the participants beforehand and goes through them in the beginning of the dialogue. The participants will then agree to follow these rules and maybe make additional rules, if necessary.
You can print out the ground rules and display them during the discussion. They can be attached to the walls or placed, for example, in the centre of the DEMOS circle on the floor.
Ground rules for DEMOS Dialogues:
- Listen to the others, do not interrupt or start additional conversations
- Share your own thoughts and experiences
- Respect the other participants
- Consider things in peace and relate what you say to what others have said
- Be present and respect the confidentiality of the dialogue
- Be open to change
