Event Planning

Participation 2007: Who's Leading Who?

Participation is at the heart of thriving local communities, vibrant nations and a healthy planet. Traditionally, participation has been organised by organisations. But one player is rapidly growing in importance and influence: you.

While campaigning organisations are creating opportunities for more people to be involved, ordinary people are also acting independently on their concerns as new media removes the barriers. "Participation 2007: Who's Leading Who" explores campaigning via new media with those at the forefront of this important and rapidly emerging area.

Participating in shaping the political agenda has always been open to anyone. But the effort and cost required to mobilise a large group make it the preserve of political parties, campaigning organisations and mass media.

Now things are changing. New tools have meant that publishing ideas, connecting with others and mobilising groups is getting easier and cheaper every month and increasing number of people are using them to shape the political agenda. But rise in participation is far deeper than new tools: the rapid use of the tools tells us the desire to participate and organise already existed but was difficult to realise.

People are using blogs, video, podcasts, networking tools and online petitions to share and promote their views independent of any political party, campaigning organisation or mass media outlet - and sometimes even turning this into face-to-face activities. Similarly, a new breed of organisation is emerging that asks people what they are concerned about, campaigns on the top issues and supports people to lead the campaign locally.

So with political organising now easier and cheaper for a significant proportion of the world's population, who's leading who? Political leaders, media, campaigning organisations or you?

Why Attend?

Participation 2007: Who's Leading Who? is the practical participation conference. It features speakers who work daily with the topics they talk about and can be used immediately to shape plans, strategies and practices.

Who Should Attend?

• Managers of campaigning and/or new media activities in campaigning organisations
• Those who work with campaigning and/or new media staff in campaigning organisations
• Those researching the impact of new media on democratic participation
• Those interested in participation, campaigning and/or new media

Why Focus on Campaigning Organisations?

In recent years, membership in campaigning organisations has eclipsed that of political parties and are one of most trusted institutions in society. However they are also slower to adopt new operating principles - like participation - and participation tools despite the fact they may help them achieve their campaigning and organisational objectives. So a conference focused on participation as it relates to campaigners and campaigning organisations can help speed the identification, spread and adoption of the principles and practices for participation.

Wanted: Your Input

Until Friday 28 of April, while the plans are being finalised, you have the chance to participate in shaping this event. Use the comment box below (or edit the wiki page) to suggest, for example:

• topics you want the existing speakers to raise
• if you want time in the agenda for making your own comments
• anything else you want to give input on

After 28 April we'll use the wiki to explore the topics and continue to give input to the speakers.

Start Your Input Here

announcement on upcoming.org --rolf, Thu, 19 Apr 2007 05:03:17 -0500 reply

Duane, I announced it at http://www.upcoming.org/event/177971/ as well