Arrange for drinks, snacks, and if needed lunches. Those guests who attend the opening should attend the closing to see the outcome. They should not be prescribed by the moderator. Participants should be encouraged to perceive problems, issues, and solutions through the eyes of the various actors with whom they will deal with when undertaking the tasks. Role playing is a very useful technique in this respect.
Local people have a better understanding of local issues than experts from the outside.
Keep this in mind during the discussions and encourage local participants to express their ideas. Each session should start with a summary of the previous day's activities and with an outline of what is to come. Each day should end with a summary of the days activities. 2 - Tell it to them. 3 - Tell them what you told them.