The National Issues Forums (NIF) is a US-based non partisan, nationwide network of civic, educational, and other organizations and individuals whose common interest is to promote public deliberation in America.
Some of the issues discussed include civil rights, education, energy, government, etc.
The Domestic Policy Association was a non partisan nationwide network that would deliberate each year on 3 pressing issues.
Aimed not just to "talk" about problems, the NIF is a way for people to deliberate, or to have serious discussions on issues.
Today, however, the process of selecting and framing issues for deliberation is handled by a variety of civic groups and organizations.