The civil society requires suitable forms of participation which ensure that all members have a voice and which amplify existing structures and procedures.

Particular importance is attached to the orientation towards consensus and the search for solutions which offer advantages to all concerned and are in this respect committed to the common good. The concept of the round table fulfills these demands, and for this reason the Breuninger Foundation as an actor of the civil society not only makes use of this tool but also supports others in the implementation of round tables and develops the concept further.

The concept of the Round Tables (community discussion groups):

An important step in the development of the concept is to clarify what the Breuninger Foundation means by round tables.

A round table (community discussion group) is a process built on consensus: in a procedure accompanied by a professional moderator the participants, who as far as possible represent all interests relevant to the particular issue, endeavour as equal and cooperative partners to arrive at a result which is acceptable to all concerned.

In this sense round tables (community discussion groups) can be employed to solve conflicts as well as to break new ground and assist in project development. They only make sense, however, in the context of an open question and when the positions of all participants are negotiable.

Inward and outward transparency (of subject, contents, results and procedure) are prerequisites of round tables (community discussion groups).

Professional moderation is a fundamental prerequisite for the success of round tables. The Breuninger Foundation has therefore developed a concept for the qualification of moderators of round tables. 

• Principles for the Round Tables (community discussion groups)