Democracy Matters

This journal entry is part of the Action for Learning Democracy campaign

As part of this campaign, with encouragement and support from others, I have started to form an alliance for learning effective citizenship and practical politics.

Tony Breslin of the Citizenship Foundation suggested the name 'Democracy Matters'.

We have had two meetings, which developed the following statement of intent: this is still a draft, but I hope others will come forward to help connect the many organisations who promote learning for practical politics, advocacy, campaigning, active citizenship and empowerment, because we need to build an effective voice to promote effective citizenship.

1. What we are about
We promote learning for democracy, effective citizenship, participation and practical politics.

2. Why democracy matters
People do not trust politicians, parties or the political process. Membership of political parties and turnout in elections has fallen dramatically. Many people feel powerless to influence decisions. Many do not take part in collective decision-making at any level, in their neighbourhood, local or national government.
Many people simply do know who is responsible for decision-making or who represents them at a local, regional, national, European or global level, let alone how to influence decisions.
Yet many people are active citizens - as members of community associations, school governors and in campaigns. They are active in grassroots movements for community development, fair-trade, rights for people with disabilities, Transition Towns and many other issues.
But our formal political system does not connect well with the many forums and movements where citizens are active. It does almost nothing to involve those who do not take part or do not know how the system works.
This lack of trust and connection matters greatly.
Democracy matters because it is the way in which we, as a society, make collective decisions about how we live and the rules, laws and people that govern us at a local, national, European or even global level.
We believe that our society should be governed by and for all citizens, as a democracy. That is,
• all citizens are free and equal before the law
• citizens have equal access to power
• citizens’ civil and political rights are protected by law
• citizens can organise freely and influence decision making at every level
• laws are made by elected citizens in an open, transparent and accountable manner
For democracy to be real, people need to know how the system works, how they can influence decisions and how they can play an active role. For this reason, people need to be able to learn how to engage in politics in a way that is meaningful and effective. They also need to be able to develop confidence, skills and voice through active participation in community associations and civic forums at a local level.

3. Who we are
We are members of civil society organisations working in communities which promote democracy and active citizenship
• by involving people as citizens at a local level,
• by campaigning for reform of democratic institutions, or
• by providing education for citizenship, campaigning, advocacy, participation and practical politics.

4. Our aims
Our organisations are diverse in their aims and membership, but we have come together to:
1. shape policies for public support and promotion of democratic participation, including the new duty to promote democracy;
2. promote learning for practical politics, citizenship, empowerment and democratic participation.
In both of these aims we seek to deepen democracy and ensure that all citizens can take part fully in decision-making at all levels of society.

5. Our shared objectives
To support these aims, we seek:
1. accessible and affordable opportunities for adults to learn capabilities for citizenship, as recommended by Learning Through Life, the inquiry into the future for lifelong learning;
2. independent local democracy hubs, as recommended by the Power Inquiry, to promote democracy, participation and effective citizenship

6. What shall we do together
To pursue these aims and objectives we shall
• Share information, learn from each other and coordinate action
• Create an open platform in every town or constituency for citizens to question those standing for election to Parliament
• Encourage and enable grassroots participation, networking and social media
• Offer mutual support to activities by members of the alliance where possible and relevant
• Share and develop research into citizenship
• Create links through our websites and ebulletins

other activities
- 12-18 October Local Democracy Week
- Action for Learning Democracy Campaign (www.campaigncentral.org.uk/action-learning-democracy)
- Work with Power Inquiry 2 (Power 2010)
- Support the Citizen 2010 coalition making the case for citizenship in schools
- Awards for activists / Adult Learners’ Week learning citizenship awards

7. Organisation
We do not see the need for a new organisation, but want more communication and cooperation between organisations and networks which promote democracy.

We propose:
a) a national steering group of about 12 people from different organisations, each one leading on specific tasks and able to speak for the alliance
b) a national chair, independent of participating organisations
c) self-organising local partnerships of our member organisations and others

8. Funding
There are costs associated with coordination and with each task, which will be met by members as part of their current work on learning and democracy. We do not propose to seek funding for the alliance itself, but may work together on funded projects.

9. Membership
We are not a formal membership organisation but an association of chief officers and leaders in the following groups who are interested in developing this alliance:

Action with Communities in Rural England
Advice UK
Bassac
Carnegie UK Trust
Citizenship Foundation
Civic Society Initiative
Community Matters
Community Sector Coalition,
CDF
Involve
Navca
National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE)
Novas Scarman
Sheila McKechnie Foundation
Take Part National Network
Workers Educational Association
Unlock Democracy

Other potential members include:
British Council
Campaign4impact
campaign groups,
ESRC Cluster for Active Citizenship
Student unions
Trades Unions
Women’s Institute,

Titus Alexander 13-10-09
Tel: 07720394740