The Scottish Government want to hear views on what a fairer Scotland should look like in 2030, and how to make this vision a reality:
“By the end of 2015 we want to have created opportunities for the widest possible range of voices to be heard”.
Throughout the Scottish Referendum, huge numbers of ordinary people engaged in politics and democracy on a scale that the UK has never witnessed.
The turnout of 84.6% was the highest recorded for an election or referendum in the United Kingdom since Universal suffrage.
Events took place all over – in village halls, hotels, community centres, pubs, pop up Yes shops, Royal Society of Arts offices as well as public gatherings in city and town squares. The myriad of opportunities for everyone to engage was astonishing and reflected not only the diversity of people wanting to express their opinions and to gather information, but also the need to ensure engagement opportunities are available to all.
Some people would not feel comfortable nor confident enough to take part in a conversation at the RSA offices, conversely some people would not feel comfortable attending a rally in a public square, therefore the diversity of venue for events was as important as the diversity of opinion, to ensure all people in Scotland could engage and be heard.
Scotland needs to harness this incredible engagement in politics and democracy, to encourage and build upon it. Such engagement will be what will eventually create a Fairer Scotland so we need to continue to create opportunities for all people to find a way of raising their voices in a way that sits comfortably with them.
EVOC welcomes the Scottish Government’s consultation Creating a Fairer Scotland which also includes the opportunity for small local organisations to apply for funds to create their own event within their communities to contribute to the conversation.
We are holding our own event on Friday 9th October and will be hearing about the consultation from the Scottish Government. We are also delighted to be welcoming Robin McAlpine of the Common Weal to talk about his views on public engagement and people power. In our discussions and workshops we will be focussing not only on what a Fairer Scotland should look like but also on how to capitalise on public engagement to achieve that vision in practical terms.
Please do come along. We are actively inviting you to bring two other stakeholders from your organisation, eg service users and/or trustees. For more information and to sign up before spaces run out, click here.
Your hopes, dreams and ideas will be captured on the day and fed into the consultation in EVOC’s response.
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