Better Practice

Added by Karin Gavelin, last edited by Karin Gavelin on Jan 24, 2007  (view change)

THE STRATEGY CONSULTATION IS NOW CLOSED.

Many thanks for all the excellent and useful comments. We are currently planning how the final strategy will be published, which we expect to happen in spring.

If you have any further comments or queries, don't hesitate to get in touch: karin@involve.org.uk.

BETTER PRACTICE: SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS AND CITIZENS
Steers from the Involve visioning day in July 2006 indicated that Involve should:
  • Move beyond methods to understand how to support cultural change in institutions and citizens.
  • Focus more on the challenges affecting people's willingness to participate.
  • Build relationships between academics and practitioners.

What we will aim to do:

  • Develop new training programmes focusing on supporting citizens and institutional change.
  • Develop approaches which can support cultural change in institutions, such as Learning Networks.
  • Develop a clear narrative about the value of participation to the public realm that can encourage positive engagement practices for both citizens and service providers
  • Explore options for defining quality assurance.

What we will not do:

  • Traditional training which is well covered elsewhere in skills such as consultation and facilitation.
  • Participation project delivery that is not innovative.

Measuring Success:

  • Well-attended training courses which receive positive feedback.
  • Learning networks which are well received by network members.
  • Citizen groups reporting improved public participation opportunities.

What do you think about these ideas?

  • Do you agree with them?
  • Is there anything you do not agree with?
  • Is there anything you think is missing ?
  • Is there anything you do not understand?

Let us know by clicking on 'Add Comment' in the bottom left corner of the screen.

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Comments (3)

 

  1. Dec 07, 2006

    Tom Burke says:

    It would be nice if you were a bit bolder here not just 'supporting' but changin...

    It would be nice if you were a bit bolder here - not just 'supporting' but changing. transforming. making a difference.

    Would suggest you link back the barriers to participation you mention earlier in the 'challenges affecting people's willingness to participate'.

  2. Dec 08, 2006

    Phil Green says:

    Again citizens appearing to be only secondary (in importance) to institutions so...

    Again citizens appearing to be only secondary (in importance) to institutions - so sending out contradictory message if you say you're strongly interested in community empowerment.

    There seems to be something inherently contradictory between the approach implied by 'training'  (tends to be top down, talking at rather than with people) and involvement concerned with community empowerment (more about talking with people and concepts such as skill sharing)

    Suggest need to include specifically skill sharing on topics of conflict resolution and conflict avoidance (or whatever correct term might be) 

    Measuring success: Great care needed to ensure that opportunities identified by citizens or citizens groups themselves  - (rather than just those who set them up as often seems to happen).

  3. Dec 20, 2006

    Rhuari Bennett, 3KQ says:

    I like the link that you want to promote between academics and practitioners: th...

    I like the link that you want to promote between academics and practitioners: there is a feeling that both has much to learn from the other, which i agree with. 

    This section is quiet on how Involve will deliver participation projects (sorry if its in a later section) and so raises the danger of Involve being strong on thinking, researching, writing, advocating, promoting etc... but ironically rarely actually doing participative work.  I am bound to flag this up being a practitioner, but i wonder whether more thought needs to be given to how Involve can partner other organisations/individuals during project delivery - both in an evaluation role (demonstrating impact of participation on peoples' wellbeing, capturing learning) and to see, experience and develop ideas on the ground? 

    Be careful that you stay genuinely on the bridge between academics and practitioners - don't slide too far either way because in that balance lies your value.

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