Empowering People and Places: What Works?
6 November 2018, 9.45am – 4pm, Pollock Halls, University of Edinburgh
The aims of this conference are to:
- share learning and resources developed by What Works Scotland
- foster connections between researchers, citizens, practitioners and policy workers
- think together about what’s next for democratic innovation in Scotland
The conference will focus on engaging with research insights into what works, and what does not, in community empowerment, as well as discussing implications for the future of policy and practice in Scotland. The full programme will follow soon and will be packed with interactive sessions (e.g. lightning talks, dialogue groups and reflective provocations).
Background
Scotland has a long tradition of community action, engagement and participation. The Christie Commission and the COSLA Commission on Strengthening Local Democracy have placed community empowerment at the centre of public service reform. The What Works Scotland programme (2014-2018) has featured substantial research into these developments across the country and internationally. Our research has explored:
- participatory budgeting
- community anchor organisations
- community-led food aid
- place-based approaches
- national standards for community engagement
- coproduction of services
- deliberative participation
- power inequalities
- facilitative leadership
- community councils
- community planning
- third sector interfaces
- and participatory governance.
This is the first of three final conferences from What Works Scotland about the present and future of public service reform.
