The G1000 case: Innovative hybrid mass consultation with citizens

1. Synthetron
linking people for conclusive discussions
The G1000 case On November 11th 2011 a unique experiment was set up in Belgium. One
thousand randomly selected citizens were brought together in Brussels in an
Innovative hybrid mass effort to bring together people from all regions, social classes and ages to
consultation with citizens discuss 3 topics previously identified by citizens: Social Security, the Financial
Crisis and Immigration. In a second phase 32 representatives will continue
the collaborative process to define a set of concrete actionable proposals
during spring 2012.
The G1000 was set up using a hybrid format. At a mass event people at
tables of 10 first listened to 20 minute expert presentations on each topic
Synthetron helps decision discussed under the guidance of facilitators.
makers to pro-actively crowd- In parallel discussions took place online (G-home) and off site (G-off). In the
source background were academic methodology guardians, as well as significant
Now you can listen, engage and groups of international observers and press. The entire event was made
capture feedback from a large public via online streaming
group of stakeholders in an The set up was unique in so far that the whole initiative was entirely crowd-
efficient way. funded, and citizen-driven and that is used a unique mass hybrid model of
People discuss as peers in a safe on-site mass interaction plus online (G-home) and offline (G-off).
(anonymous) way without risk
of overload or groupthink. They
have a pleasant and stimulating G-Home powered by Synthetron
experience.
This is done, not by measuring The set up
them, but by openly engaging On the day Synthetron ran the online Participants pre- registered for one or
groups ranging from tens to part G-Home. More than 700 citizens more topics. The recruitment process
thousands. For one hour they joined the debates from their PC at used mass mail, social and traditional
have a chance to feedback, reflect home or work. media in the week preceding the event.
and co-create on a topic that Via live-streaming they first watched Synthetron partner Amplixs handled
matters via a single brainstorm-like the 20 minute expert presentations and the registration process. Overall the
discussion. then joined the interactive Synthetron participants were more often male and
Synthetron discussions are in discussion online (60 mins). Eight tended to be older compared to the
real time and online. They are discussions were organised with Dutch G1000 representative sample.
anonymous, interactive and and French sessions set up in parallel
scalable. The platform is written, on each topic. The G1000 citizens’ online
moderated and conclusive creating The discussion scripts were designed debates
insights into the top ideas and to be complementary to the G1000 on The interaction over the 4 discussions
opinions of the participants on the site event so that citizens co-created was very intense with more than
topic concerned their best insights into what changes 14.000 ideas shared (almost 50%
The uniqueness of Synthetron and solutions they felt were needed. above average). Participants’ own
is the evolutionary discussion The topics were broad and very open scoring led to the identification of 2000
process Participants are randomly from the financial crisis, to migration
assigned a place at a virtual chain and social security and finally an open
of tables. The ideas that receive a topic. Participants jointly decided some
high initial score migrate to more focus areas.
and more participants as long as Moderators guided the citizens to
they keep retaining a high average share and co-evaluate their ideas,
score. This way, very many opinions and reflect on ways forward.
people can discuss at the same A quick analysis was done during the
time without getting overloaded day and presented back to the G1000
and while collaboratively room an hour later. The discussions
concluding their own top list of were projected live in the G1000 event
ideas and opinions. room for cross fertilisation.

2. synthetrons, which were presented in were very much in line
order of support (strongest first). with the G1000. Reports
Synthetrons are ideas that were provided to all
participants feel strongly about and participants a week
so are presented to more and more after the discussions.
participants as long as the score These reports will,
remained high. Synthetrons are together with the
qualified by their reach number- this is outcome of the G1000
the number of participants for whom be the core input for the
the idea was important (they might next step: the G32 (32
agree or disagree). Top synthetrons citizens from amongst
reach all participants while bottom the G-home and G1000
synthetrons fail to obtain scoring participants will work
support far beyond their initial table. in more detail on some
The debates were moderated by recommendations). The reports and the evidenced at the end by the number of
Synthetron moderators and analysed full raw data is available to universities “thank you let us repeat this” high level
on the spot by Synthetron consultants. in Belgium for further analyses. synthetrons.
This way the online Synthetron
Results of the online Participants solution delivered a key contribution
discussions Participants in G-home were to broaden and deepen public debate
Participants had a critical yet very enthusiastic and appreciated being on major social issues and to give a
constructive attitude during the able to contribute, to reflect and to large community the chance to express
debates. In terms of content, results feel they were listened to. This was opinions in constructive debate.
Pro-active crowd-sourcing
For the times when you need
to listen to your:
Synthetron for citizen engagement
The Synthetron methodology has
already supported many mass online
engagements:
(car owners association) engaged 600 citizens to share their reactions designers and businesses actively
more than 6000 of its member on plans and options for the reflected with the government on
in very focused debates on the randstadn2040. future options to reorganise the set
government’s car tax reform up of all agencies related to creativity
proposal to get deep insight into specific stakeholder groups and design.
alignment and resistance. The report (youngsters, Flemish living abroad,
was subsequently presented to foreigners) to get input into the stakeholder engagement in both
parliament. process of developing its plans for countries, as well as in the UK,
2020. Mexico and Canada can be shared.
Synthetron Our demo: www.synthetron.com/demo/en
If you want to learn more about Belgium/general:Joanne Celens, joanne.celens@synthetron.com +32 475 55 29 33
how to involve and consult your Brazil: Alex Cameiro, alex.carnei ro@synthetron.com +55 21 24 99 52 07
stakeholders with Synthetron, Canada: Cindy Glegg, cindy.glegg@synthetron.com +1 613 832 43 96
please contact us: France: Eric Cabocel, eric.cabocel@synthetron.com +33 663 01 58 11
Germany: Klaus-Michael Erben, michael.erben@synthetron.com +49 170 786 81 46
International HQ / Belgium Mexico: Tonatiuh Cantú, tona@synthetron.com +52 55 52 93 19 05
Synthetron NV Lucy Patiño, lucy@synthetron.com +52 55 52 93 19 05
Ringlaan 80 Netherlands: Leo Dijkema, leo.dijkema@synthetron.com +31 642 81 22 84
B-3080 Belgium Jeanette Kalthof, jeanette.kalthof@synthetron.com +31 6 23 84 14 40
Switzerland: Maayke v.d. Pluijm, maayke.vanderpluijm@synthetron.com +41 7 95 57 32 72
www.synthetron.com United Kingdom: Catherine Shovlin, catherine.shovlin@synthetron.com +44 207 277 85 66