The "issue & objective" section in the header of a forum serves to inform all participants about the debate's objective and to add dramaturgy and structure to the discussion process. It typically describes a document the content of which is to be elaborated in the process (e.g., a petition, a manifesto or a list of recommendations on how to solve a specific problem).

The section consists of a short description of the issue, a definition of the aim of the discussion and a timeline/calendar. Technically, it is produced in part automatically on the basis of the content of the webspace (e.g., the description of the issue etc.) and is finally edited by the founder of the forum.

In our case, Dorothy has decided to define as the aim of the discussion a petition that contains a call for a family card and design options for financing this offer. The timeline is set rather short to 3 weeks until final agreement. The petition is to be delivered to HVV responsibles in the presence of media and - hopefully - governmental representatives.

The actual state of the process is always visible in the header section of the forum, and a calendar is accessible to see what comes as next step.