Workshop
on Consultation
The
Context and the Perspective:
The realization of the
oneness of mankind is an essential element of all developmental efforts.
Realisation of such an
all-encompassing oneness, helps in building a cohesive group.
The currently fragmented
peoples and races of the world will be fused together in a global society.
In the brave “new world”
people are struggling to shed away their prejudices of the past.
The guarantor of the
continuation of peace among people is justice, in the sense of fair-mindedness
and a fair deal for everyone.
We need a detailed plan for
the establishment of justice at all levels of the society.
This plan has at least three
components:
i)
The creation of a new race of people: the transformation
process creates an ever increasing number of fair-minded people of highest
ethical standards;
ii)
Promotion and implementation of a wide range of
social policies and practices that free humanity from the shackles of
prejudice, and provide encouragement and opportunities for accelerated growth
of individuals in all aspects of our physical, mental, and spiritual faculties;
iii)
Establishment of a just form of governance: the
modus operandi of this form of government is the consultative process.
The
Practical Objective:
Consultation is goal
oriented, discussion or conversation may not be.
Consultation should be
practised at all levels.
Its use should be encouraged
in all matters in the family, among friends, and even for arriving at decisions
that are the prerogative of individuals.
It is a tool for seeking the
truth, for problem solving and for better decision making.
Consultation assumes that
many heads together are better than one. This assumption is true when the
barriers are removed so that these several minds can genuinely work together,
almost like a single composite mind.
These barriers include
prejudices, self interests, egos, and mistrusts.
The hallmark of consultation
is the unfettered operation of our conscience, aided by the power of our
rational mind, and illuminated by common ethical or religious teachings.
The
Principles:
i) Universal participation:
Everyone within a body (such
as a family, a work group, a committee, or the members of this project) should
participate.
It is the collective
responsibility of each member of the body to ensure that everyone has the
opportunity and the necessary encouragement to participate.
A broadly based consultation
is a healthy barrier against the opinions of the forceful.
ii) Prerequisites for a
successful consultative process:
Attitudes set the tone for
the consultation.
Honesty, frankness, and
absolute trust in the pure motives of all participants are essential.
There must be a clear
statement of the problem to which we are seeking a solution.
Spirit of objective
(scientific) enquiry must be maintained throughout.
No matter how accomplished
we think we are, we can always learn from others; therefore we should truly
listen to others so that we can learn their point of view, and even understand
how they came to hold the views that they have.
iii) The Procedure:
Establishment of the facts;
Investigation of the
relevant principles;
Full and frank discussion;
Consideration of alternative
solutions, including the unconventional;
Converging to the ‘best’
solution;
Preference for unanimity;
The apparent truth;
Offering of resolutions and
voting if necessary;
iv) Detachment:
The group attempts to act as
one composite mind.
The ideas do not belong to
the speakers.
Therefore no one has a
‘position’.
No one offends, and no one
takes offence.
One may speak against ones
own previously stated opinion.
Courtesy, consideration, and
moderation in tone and content of speech are essential.
No one ‘represents’ a group
of outside interested bodies.
No one has a constituency to report to, and therefore is free to think of the pros or cons of any proposal for the benefit of the whole group or of the project.
There will be no lobbying or
other attempts to influence the opinions of others. There will be no sub-groups
who take ‘positions’ on issues.
Matters of substance or
importance to the project will be discussed only in the group meetings, so that
people do not come to the meetings with pre-conceived ideas or solidified
stances on matters of significance to the group.
Consultation should remain
selfless and not degenerate into negotiation or compromise.
v) Unity in Support:
Unity is a prerequisite of effective consultation and in subsequent
support for implementation of the outcome.
The final decision belongs
to the body, not to any individuals.
Even though the decision may
have been arrived at by a majority vote, there should be no minority opinions,
so that everyone identifies with and whole-heartedly supports the final decision.
Unity in support of
decisions is more important than correction of a possible short term mistake.
Appeal procedures (if
already established) seek to correct by further consultation.