ABSTRACT
Multi-Stakeholder Platforms (MSPs) are a technology for democratic governance which can assist society to reflect on the wisdom of past actions, more comprehensively explore and assess future options, and more openly negotiate workable strategies and agreements. The central ingredient is informed debate which gives ample opportunity for learning and possible reshaping of opinion. This may lead to the creation or strengthening of bridges of understanding between actors representing wide-ranging interests, and the satisfactory resolution of at least some differences. The MSP may also bring into sharper focus substantive differences of approach and priorities that may not be easily reconcilable. Either way, by articulating these differences in the public sphere, an MSP can contribute to a sounder basis for charting a forward path.
