Parties can avoid problems that might disrupt the process by clarifying their assumptions and reaching agreement on how they will conduct themselves. There is no one correct set of ground rules. Different approaches are appropriate in different circumstances. Generally, however, parties need to cover at least the following issues:
- purpose
- participation (e.g. parties, observers, addition of parties)
- decision making
- conduct of meetings (e.g. setting agendas, open vs closed meetings)
- safeguards (e.g. good faith, confidentiality, exchange of information)
- schedule (e.g. deadlines)
- facilitation (e.g. who, neutrality, termination)
Click here for Sample Ground Rules taken from several policy dialogues.
