The ability to take part in decision-making processes that have an impact on your life is central to a democratic society. However, for too many people living on low incomes or in communities affected by poverty, they have little opportunity to affect the decisions that impact on their lives.
The Scottish Government is carrying out a wide ranging into how communities could be given more control over the decisions that affect them. This years Poverty Alliance conference will be an opportunity to contribute to that discussion, and will look at a range of experiences where communities have sought to take more control over the decisions that affect them. We are delighted that Aileen Campbell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government, will give the key note speech. We will then hear from a range of community organisations, activists and campaigners to discuss how we can stengthen and improve decision making so that we can use new powers to address poverty.
Agenda
10:00 Setting the Scene
Fiona Garven, Director, Scottish Community Development Centre
10:10 Democracy Matters and Tackling Poverty
Aileen Campbell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government
10.30: Q&A
10:45 Local Democracy in Action: What Works for Us
Fatima Uygun, Govanhill Baths
Jimmy Wilson, FARE
11.30 Coffee
11.45 Local Democracy: What matters to you
An interactive session to gather views on what local democracy looks like to you….
12.30 Closing Panel: Ideas Into Action
Willie Sullivan, Director for Scotland, Electoral Reform Society
Pam Duncan-Glancy, equalities and human rights activist
Phenoa Matovu, Director, Radiant and Brighter
13:15 Lunch
13:45 Poverty Alliance AGM
14:15 Close
