‘Participative Democracy’ dialogues going live on 26th August 2020
Community Dialogue and AvilaMedia have developed a series of ‘Political Education and Participative Democracy’ workshops to be rolled out in communities across Northern Ireland in late August. The workshops are part of Community Dialogue’s wider ‘Consensus Building Dialogues Agreeing a Shared Vision our Future’ programme funded by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland. Our Pilot Workshop & Porgamme Overview will launch on the evening of 26th August (details below).
“Participants in our dialogues are telling us that traditional politics aren’t working and don’t enable ordinary people to have a say in decision making. Growing community voices and making sure that politics goes beyond politicians is a vital component in achieving a shared future.” — David Holloway, Community Dialogue
The project will include a series of 5 weekly, 90-minute dialogues centred on addressing the following questions from the 2019 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey:
- Do you feel that you have any influence when it comes to any of the decisions made about what happens in Northern Ireland?
- Do you feel that you have any influence when it comes to any of the local decisions made around here?
In short, it was found that there is a significant gap between communities and their ability to effect positive change at the political level. Responses displayed mutual dissatisfaction and disenfranchisement, a negative but unifying factor across NI’s community spectrum.
These responses evidence the need to make politics work better by empowering ordinary people and providing them the tools to enact change in their local communities and to work together to build a shared future.
Project Details:
- A series of workshops designed to increase political knowledge, build confidence and encourage consensus building on NI’s future.
- Provide training on power-sharing structures and electoral systems, and introduce participatory democracy and alternatives to present decision-making (e.g. NI Citizen’s Assembly & local issues forums).
- Sessions will also be dedicated action-planning, specific to each region and dedicated to making a tangible difference ‘on the ground’ that continues post-project.
- Community-led dialogues dedicated to addressing their needs in the way they see fit.
- A Capacity Building Toolbox, with accessible and user-friendly resources on a wide range of topics.
This project will help generate engaged citizens who have the capacity to reach agreement on divisive issues that are currently preventing progress towards a better and more prosperous future. The action planning component of the project will enable participants to reach such agreements and provide support for them to engage with and influence decision-makers moving forward.
“We see this as an incredible opportunity to bring diverse groups of citizens together from across Northern Ireland and beyond, attracting participants who may have not have previously had a voice. This will bring valuable new perspectives to our conversations. We hope this will provide an example of how grassroots organisations can innovate and make a meaningful impact in the ‘new normal’.” – Aisling Bishop, Community Dialogue
Everyone from all walks of life are encouraged to participate!
Pilot Workshop & Programme Overview:
Date: Wednesday, 26th August 2020
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Via Zoom
We will discuss the full project in detail, answering questions and consulting the community. We will then collectively finalise dates for the rest of the workshops and action planning to take place over the month of September.
For further information & to RSVP contact:
We look forward to seeing you out in the community soon!!!