What is the term for a gathering of individuals meeting for a common purpose in the context of governance?

The term "convention" specifically refers to a gathering of individuals who come together to discuss, deliberate, and make decisions on matters of common interest, particularly in the context of governance. This can include political parties convening to nominate candidates or create a platform, or other groups that meet to address issues such as policy, legislation, or societal problems.

In contrast, "conclave" often refers to a private meeting of a select group, typically within religious contexts, such as the election of a pope, and may not be representative of broader governance discussions. "Session" generally denotes a specific period during which a deliberative body, like a legislative assembly, meets to conduct its business but does not encapsulate the broader gathering of diverse individuals for discussion. "Summit," while it does point to a meeting of leaders for discussions, often refers to high-level meetings and may not encapsulate the larger gathering of individuals from various backgrounds that a convention does. Thus, "convention" is the most appropriate term to describe a meeting for a common governmental purpose.