Listen Hear: The Right to be Heard : Report of the Commission on Poverty, Participation and PowerWhy don't more people experiencing poverty vote? Or take part in consultations? Why don't they participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives? This report, commissioned by the Commission on Poverty, Participation and Power looks at the possible answers.It found that - despite the declared commitment of the UK government - too many experiences of participation without the power to bring about change have left people in poverty highly sceptical. The Commission consisted of half grassroots and half public life representatives and built on Voices for Change, a two-year consultation with local groups across the UK to identify barriers which prevent people living in poverty participating in decision making.The report reveals the stark divide between policy makers and the people they claim to represent. It highlights the radical changes needed to make sure that participation does not just echo back the views of those in power. And it argues that without these changes, policies to tackle poverty and revitalise democracy will not succeed.Listen hear is important reading for all those involved in anti-poverty and regeneration work, including community groups, voluntary organisations, local authorities, the devolved administrations, public authorities and central government - and of course, above all, people experiencing poverty themselves. |
Contents
Part One Whats it all about? | 1 |
Why link poverty participation and power? | 2 |
What does the Commission think? | 6 |
Copyright | |
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99 Commissioner affect their lives agenda area steering groups asylum-seekers ATD Fourth World barriers to participation Bransholme Caia Park Centre Change area meeting Coalition Against Poverty Commission on Poverty Commissioners visited community activists community development community groups community reps councillors Debby Wason decision makers decision-making processes devolved administrations DFID Easterhouse Edwina Hart ensure experience of poverty experiencing poverty feel funding genuine participation grassroots Haider and Debby heard Hugh Bayley MP Humaira Haider human rights initiatives issues Joseph Rowntree living in poverty marginalised meeting with Commissioners national level Northern Ireland organisations Oxfam Participation and Power participatory methods People's Parliament phoney participation policy makers politicians poor priorities problems professionals Real participation regeneration Scotland Conference Scottish Scottish Executive Social Exclusion Unit Social Security South West England tackle things Tony Blair UK Coalition UK government UKCAP Voices for Change voluntary volunteering Wales Women's National Commission