Open Government - public participation strategy: advice

Recommendation 9

Provide an inclusive message and communication between political actors and the people by diversifying the channels of communication

Recognising that communities don’t just refer to geographical places so place based solutions do not always work. This requires us to think more widely about communities of interest and identity, and action those community leaders and influencers. A geo-spatial approach to participation can miss disaggregated data, and affect the results.

Democratic innovations can accommodate the inclusion of different groups of communities. Organisers can use sortition to get random or stratified samples of a geographical community; but organisers can also use targeted groups to get together people from communities of interest or communities of identity. Successful community engagement projects can be witnessed when a particular section of society is chosen to take part, rather than the wider population. For instance, using a stratified selection process to include young, senior or LGBT+ groups (see Lightbody 2017: 18 and refs therein). Yet these processes will not work for everyone. They take time, are often held at the weekend and as they are not commonly used are still intimidatingly unfamiliar. We need to continue to be innovative but ensure that we look closely at community led participation, held close to home and able to adapted between locales and different types of communities.

Digital participation is convenient and can overcome barriers from disabilities, child care, travel, space/time while being cost effective for organisers. It can be considered a safe space as people can communicate ideas anonymously and test out ideas and suggestions without feeling vulnerable. It can improve transparency and responsiveness and can work at any point of the decision-making process, accounting for levels of power sharing – consultation, involvement, collaboration and co-production. But we must recognise that digital involvement does not provide safe spaces for all people, especially women. The very anonymity that encourages some people to get involved is the very reason that some people are able to dominate and intimidate.

A recommendation from What Works Scotland’s (2017) report called for creating spaces where young people can go and interact with friends but also other groups of people (the police, third sector workers, youth workers). This can foster feelings of mutual respect and empower young people to shape their futures and communities while harnessing tools and skills which will benefit them in life (Lightbody and Escobar 2021). People need to see themselves in the people providing information and guidance which will increase trust.

Do not expect all citizens to enter formal processes. For some, it is just not practical, for others it is intimidating.

Participation needs to go to the people. Do it on their terms and recognise that those living in the most vulnerable or precarious positions cannot engage – create a society where they can. An important message from Fiona McHardy is the need for political actors (politicians, civil servants, councillors) to be visible in communities. Not just as a visit, but to go there, experience them, working within them: ‘if you want to understand communities, be in communities’. Here, a better understanding of what the community’s needs are will arise and help to reiterate that political actors are not so far removed from citizens.

If Scotland wishes to push itself beyond rhetoric, moving from the performative to transformative action, we must to look to provide long-term and inclusive delivery of services. Transitioning to a just society which is prepared to develop a wellbeing economy and centre social justice at the very heart of our society. For long-term planning and big spending development such as infrastructure – new National Care Service, future of health, climate agenda – the government needs to ensure that local solutions are possible, but in doing so we don’t develop a postcode lottery approach. Recognising where the need is and who should be involved could help to identify the government’s role in participation to deliver these policies.

Action:

• Provide translational services
• Mix up recruitment methods for informal process and sampling methods for more formal processes
• Simplify policy language and reduce jargon
• Organisation such as Pass the Mic should be operationalised at all levels. A localised expert lists, hyper local lists, interest groups, which signposts people they can talk to if they need to find out more. Highlight people in communities who can help people unpack information or help them to get involved.
• Use the channels appropriate for specific locales – ie local radio, newspapers, social media platform, community centres, community groups to spread the word. People in that area can help to identify what to use.
• Determine which decisions are to be made by government and where there is a need for public input.