Ask Your Questions in Sweden

The 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety is an important chance to network and ask questions. Here is our short guide to making the most of these opportunities.

BE PREPARED

Have your questions ready and know what you want to say in a concise way.

CHOOSE YOUR OPPORTUNITY

Depending on your question, decide whether you will get a more meaningful response by raising your question in a session or by seeking a conversation with a specific delegate.

BE CURIOUS 

Listen to what is said in the sessions and how it relates to your situation and questions. 

BE RELEVANT 

Time is limited so it is important to be as relevant as possible. Listen to what the session is about and do your best to direct your question toward that topic. Ask general, open questions which generate discussion and invite answers that will be relevant in a number of different and varied contexts to ensure the answer is relevant for most, if not all, people in the room. Keep your questions as succinct and direct as possible. This will ensure that everyone in the room is able to follow what you are saying, and your questions are more likely to be answered if those you are asking fully understand what you want to know. Try not to make statements, but instead ask questions that will spur discussion.

If there is a particular discussion you would like to have with a minister or government representative, it may be better to wait until the session is over and take the discussion with them privately. This way, you can address specific issues with them and engage in a more meaningful and satisfactory conversation. 

ASK DON’T STATE

If asking a question in a main session, make sure that what you say enables the speakers to respond. 

EXAMPLE QUESTIONS

• If we want to push the road safety agenda forward in [name of country], what would be your advice me, as a member of civil society?
• Low-income countries have not seen a reduction in road deaths since 2013, what can we do to change this?
• How can NGOs be better involved?
• What does NGO involvement or engagement look like in your world or from your perspective?
• How can we ensure that voices from the ground are taken into consideration and brought into decision-making at policy level?
• [Explain issue], what would you do if you were me?
• What would you like to see NGOs do in the lead up to the UN resolution to extend SDG target 3.6 to 2030 in April?
• What can we learn from the climate movement?
• We often complain about road safety not being taken seriously, what can we do to change that?

If you are not attending the conference but have questions that you would like answered, send them to us at admin@roadsafetyngos.org. We will do our best!