Where are the councilmen and councilwomen? About the role of council officials in participation and the role of participation in the work of officials?
Moderator:
Oktawiusz Chrzanowski, the Foundation for Social and Economic Initiatives
Marta Bejnar-Bejnarowicz, a City of Gorzow Wielkopolski, People for the City
Katarzyna Wiater, Izabelin District Official
Monika Mossakowska-Biało, Ochota District official, “Ochocianie”
Ingeborga Janikowska-Lipszyc, former Ochota District official, The Batory Foundation
Time: 2. Day (Friday, June 3.), hrs 12:45-14:15
Format: experience sharing with elements of discussion
Description:
Worlds of representative and participatory democracies collide in the work of a local government. Even when councilmen and councilwomen are interested in participation, they do not take part in it – apart from praiseworthy exceptions.
During the session we are going to focus on these questions:
- What are the reasons for a mismatch between the role of a community representative and their active involvement in participation?
- Do councilmen need participation, and what for? What benefits could they receive from participation that are not found anywhere else?
- For what do we need councilmen and councilwomen in participation processes?
- Is it a matter of imagination, time, conviction, or maybe something more, that a model of collaborative work with single signs of participation is more common among councilmen?
- Maybe there are some participation processes with a larger number of officials? If so, why is it like that?
- How does the local policy impact that?
In the first part of the session I will let the officials share their perspective and experiences with us. I’m counting on that we will talk about language and arguments that could be used when convincing other councilmen and councilwomen. The second part of the session is an open discussion and provides room for questions from the audience.
We particularly invite those participation practitioners who are not insensitive to a coherent development of local decision-making processes. We will try to inspire a more effective collaboration with local officials. Do you collaborate with a councilman in your city? Are you a local official? Please come and share your opinions during the session.