Author Robert Dickman describes stories as "a fact wrapped in an emotion that compels us to take action that transforms our world." Author Annette Simmons adds, ‘facts aren’t influential  until they mean something to someone."

 When we come together to inform and affect change in our lives, our communities and our world through dialogue and deliberation it is profoundly shaped by the narrative wrapped around the evidence at hand. 

Public engagement is a pivotal process for effective decision-making to create sustainable communities.  When the statistics of a problematic issue are placed in real life context it then becomes an issue that we can think about.

As author Dan Heath notes, "the fundamental mission of making data stick is to drag numbers within the range of our intuition."

When we seek to engage civic society in the process of informing programs and policies that address the challenges facing communities; it is our responsibility to push data into the realm of a meaningful context. Key to unlocking the story of what we know pivots on our ability to weave together our intuition with the evidence we have available to us.

This is why stories matter.

Co-founder of the Institute, Leo Dillman was recently a guest of the People’s Republic of China and Capital University of Economics and Business in Beijing.

Leo presented a paper (Public Engagement – An Important Component in Planning for Security and Safety: The Role of Public Engagement in Policy and Governance in Canada) to the 2009 Urban Internationalization Forum co – sponsored by the Beijing Social Science Union and CUEB. The major subject of this Forum was security and safety issues in the urban internationalization process” for the rapidly urbanizing country of China.

Also, during his six day stay in this fascinating country, Leo had the opportunity to speak with a large number of graduate students and professors at Capital University of Economics and Business. This discussion focused on how Canadian governments, at all levels, are increasingly using public engagement as a key element in planning for security and safety issues.

Leo also spent a day with the China Center of Urban Development, part of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of the Chinese national government.

The main functions of this Center include socioeconomic research and study on the development of the plethora of towns and cities within China, and to provide policy advice to the national and local governments. The mission of this international cooperation program is to promote equal and sustainable socioeconomic development within China through pilot programs and well implemented approaches. Leo participated in an open discussion with the NDRC about the case for building the capacity of the Center in the use of public engagement in its work.

It is anticipated that further collaboration and connection will continue with the Chinese government in the months to come

It is Leo’s impression that the potential for the use of public engagement in China is as large as that country is vast. There seems to be great interest in the value of public engagement, particularly from the younger generations. China’s place of importance on the world stage may be a factor in favour of moving forward progressively with respect to engaging citizens.

Pattie LaCroix, co-founder of the International Institute of Public Engagement has been appointed to the National Board of Directors of the Canadian Community for Dialogue and Deliberation. C2D2 is dedicated to the creation and sustainability of vibrant communities, businesses, governments, not for profits and learning institutions through the good practice of dialogue, deliberation, collaborative action and decision-making processes.

Pattie will be speaking at the upcoming C2D2 national conference.

While in Beijing, Leo will also address an audience of graduate students and professors at the Capital University of Economics and Business – School of Humanities.

Leo is honored by this wonderful opportunity to share his knowledge and experience and to learn more about their culture and country.