IEI's Model Public Policy Process

The Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) prides itself on its model public policy process which is founded on the basic principle of authentic debate among a diverse group of stakeholders from business, government, higher education and non-profits.  In this way, IEI takes the lead in building consensus around key policy priorities that affect North Carolina’s future growth and prosperity.

Leadership Retreats | At the beginning of a program of work, IEI convenes a select group of experts in a particular issue area to determine the salient challenges within this issue.  This event allows IEI to organize its program of work in a way that is consistent with and complementary to the important conversations already taking place statewide on the issue.

Working Groups | In preparation for the Forum, IEI convenes a series of Working Groups to tackle specific challenges determined by the Leadership Retreat and extensive research and constituent meetings by IEI staff.  The scope of the Working Groups is narrower, allowing for more specific debate around certain aspects of the issue. The Working Groups produce a set of policy priorities that inform the organization of the Forum as well as the work of IEI going forward. 

IEI Forum | The annual Emerging Issues Forum is IEI’s signature event at which leaders from around the state, the country and indeed the world convene to discuss and debate the challenges and most innovative solutions within the issue.  This is an opportunity for IEI to present to North Carolina its work thus far and to gauge how it must move forward in its program of work.

Community Forums | Following the Forum, IEI hosts a series of Community Forums across the state to bring the issue to the local level.  The purpose of Community Forums is threefold: 1.) To increase awareness of the issue beyond the Triangle, 2.) To build consensus at the local level around the issue, and 3.) To inform the work of IEI on this issue going forward.

Business Committees | Following the Forum, IEI convenes a committee comprised of high-level business leaders representing the state’s varied regions and industries in an effort to further narrow the scope of the program of work and to draw in committed leadership on the issue from the state’s business community.  Business committees produce a specific set of recommendations to be adopted and implemented by the appropriate parties.