Introduction to Citizen Participation at the Local Level in China and Canada: Comparative Cases

2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Andrew Sancton
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Local Level

scholarly journals XarxaSalut, network of municipalities for health, Valencia Region (Spain): policy process evaluation

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Peiró Pérez ◽  
E Pérez Sanz ◽  
E Legaz Sanchez ◽  
J Quiles Izquierdo ◽  
Grupo XarxaSalut
Keyword(s):  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Policy Process ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Common Language ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Economic Support ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
The Impact

Abstract “XarxaSalut” started in 2017, with the municipalities that have taken the commitment to boost the Promotion of Health (HP) at the local level through community participation, intersectorality and equity perspective. The objective is to present a policy process evaluation (2'5 years) of the implementation of XarxaSalut. Different approaches have been used; a questionnaire addressed to the municipalities at the time of adhesion including data on intersectorality, participation, HP actions and open questions; description of instruments that Regional Public Health Authorities (RPHA) has mobilized and an analysis of barriers and strengths made by the coordination office. In 2017, 17 municipalities were joined, being 197 in February 2020 (70% of the population). 65% are in a process of an organizational change through the intersectoral, decision making and participative working group. 35% are doing analysis of determinants and /or health situation, assets maps and a prioritization of HP actions. The main barriers identified by municipalities are lack of economic and personal resources, and difficulties in achieve citizen participation. The main benefits were the optimization of resources, the exchange of experiences, training, or economic support from the RPHA. Some support instruments develop for RPHA are a collection of guides for community development, funds that the municipalities can apply to support actions related with training, HP action on vulnerable population, on asset maps, participation processes, vulnerable neighborhoods, etc.; Community actions have been included in the “Health Observatory” to give visibility and social support to XarxaSalut. Interdisciplinary training processes with health and municipal professionals have been made in order to develop a common language and strength the competences for HP. Lesson learned: The need to improve coordination and a common language between different types of participants and professionals Key messages The decision makers and professionals in the municipalities understand the impact in health of the policies developed at local level but needs guide and support to deal with it. The coordination between different administrations and primary health at local level and the misunderstandings about health and their determinants are the main aspect to reinforce.

Concerns Management, E-Government and E-Participation

2018 ◽  
pp. 1488-1503
Author(s):  
Tobias Vaerst ◽  
Theresa Steffens ◽  
Robert Lokaiczyk
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Management System ◽  
Communication Channel ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Internet Technology ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Smartphone Applications ◽  
Public Infrastructure ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Service Channel

Advancements in internet technology have profoundly changed communication between citizens and government authorities. Concerns management systems and smartphone applications offer new and convenient channels of interaction. In Germany, the “Mängelmelder” platform offers a nationwide service channel for local citizens' concerns. Citizens generally use this communication channel for reporting public infrastructure defects. This paper examines whether the “Mängelmelder” platform – with customized systems can facilitate further citizen participation at the local level in Germany. Analysing different customized systems shows that possibilities for further use depend on the way in which local authorities handle the citizens' input. It could not be proven that offering an open category for citizens' recommendations (in a customized concerns management system) has an impact on further citizen participation. But using digital citizen services, such as concerns management platforms, can indeed facilitate increased citizen participation.

Understanding political participation in West Africa: the relationship between good governance and local citizen engagement

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 136-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Ann Krawczyk ◽  
Jennie Sweet-Cushman
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Political Participation ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression Model ◽  
Citizen Engagement

Strengthening citizen participation in West Africa is an increasingly important aspect of democratic development – especially in mitigating setbacks arising from poor governance. This article uses Round 4 Afrobarometer data to explore what stimulates local-level participation by examining determinants against the backdrop of eight West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal. Using a negative binomial regression model, our results are evaluated within the framework of good governance, and show that local context, specifically relative to citizens’ perceptions of and attitudes about the performance of local government, matters when it comes to local political participation. Points for practitioners This study provides public administrators with a framework for understanding what drives local-level, non-electoral citizen participation in West Africa, and helps them understand how to increase local citizen engagement and build a more democratic society through the pursuit of good governance principles. In addition, this study highlights the critical importance of local government performance, and the role of citizens’ attitudes and evaluations, in local civic engagement.

scholarly journals Participatory Budgeting in the Major Cities in Poland – Case Study of 2018 Editions

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-277
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Madej
Keyword(s):  
Urban Communities ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Voter Participation ◽  
Participatory Budgeting ◽  
The Social ◽  
Government Organisation

AbstractThe paper refers to the social innovation of participatory budgeting which has become a very popular tool for stimulating citizen participation at the local level in Poland. It focuses on the major cities, defined as capitals of the voivodeships or regions. Based on the data concerning 2018 participatory budgeting editions in the eighteen cities, it describes the funding, organisation of the process, forms of voting and voter participation as well as the nature of projects selected and implemented. According to the amended Act on the Local Self-Government, organisation of participatory budgeting will only be obligatory for Polish cities from 2019. Despite that fact, it has already become quite popular and broadly applied in local communities. However, citizens’ participation and involvement in the process seems quite low, suggesting a need for experience sharing and improvement of the initiative. Also, project selection reflects the influence of various social groups within urban communities, rather than assisting groups which are at risk of marginalisation.

scholarly journals Public participation in planning in the Egyptian context

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
Somaya Aboelnaga
Keyword(s):  
Public Participation ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Local Level ◽  
The Public ◽  
Societal Needs ◽  
Urban Issues ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
Different Levels

Public participation is a critical aspect in the planning, also spatial planning. Its role is changing dramatically as it is present not only in social development but also tackles issues connected with cultural, educational. The most important element in participation is the will to do it – to engage in the process of planning the of life, of new urban communities, and how it is taking place in the planning process at different levels/ scales. There is a need to strengthen the public participation in the Egyptian context. Consequently, there are many cases in public participation related to the different levels (metropolitan, city, action area), connected to urban issues, besides, the sectoral issues related to economic development and societal needs. Thus, there is still a gap between existing national policies and their implementation at local level. The important question is how to achieve the local needs with strategies prepared on upper-level agencies. The main problem, in addition to the environmental issues is the regional disparities, poverty illustrated by low human development index. The research aim is to determine general framework and rules of citizen participation in Egypt by illustrating many cases from Egyptian context, and to examine the process and assess their effectiveness and the paper will end with the policy changes.

Tunisian municipal elections will change power balance

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Presidential Elections ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Regional Disparities ◽  
Power Balance ◽  
Municipal Elections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Female Youth ◽  
Economic Opportunities ◽  
Starting Position

Subject The importance of the municipal elections. Significance Tunisia’s first-ever municipal elections are due to take place in March 2018, over a year late. They were originally scheduled for December 2017. The polls will mark a key moment in Tunisia’s transition, as they are part of a decentralisation plan aimed at giving regions more autonomy and bigger budgets to create economic opportunities locally and reduce regional disparities. Impacts The municipal elections can contribute to the emergence of new local and regional politicians and personalities. They could also encourage more female, youth and citizen participation. If Ennahda wins most of the municipalities, it will regain more power within the governmental coalition. Ennahda will also improve its starting position for the next legislative and presidential elections. The municipal polls could result in more local-level corruption, as municipal officials will have more power and bigger budgets than today.

scholarly journals Del envejecimiento activo a la ciudadanía activa: el papel de la amigabilidad / From active ageing to active citizenship: the role of friendliness

Aula Abierta ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Elena Del Barrio Truchado ◽  
Sara Marsillas Rascado ◽  
Mayte Sancho Castiello
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Demographic Ageing ◽  
Traditional Concept ◽  
Leading Role

RESUMENEl concepto envejecimiento activo apareció por primera vez en 1999 recogiendo la tradición científica del paradigma positivo del envejecimiento. Este unifica las nociones de participación, salud, independencia y buen envejecer, siendo la participación el componente central. Este paradigma fue asumido como la gran respuesta política al envejecimiento demográfico tratando de cambiar el concepto tradicional de vejez, dotando a las personas mayores de nuevos roles. La iniciativa “Age-Friendly Cities and Communities” lanzada por la OMS en 2005 se planteó con el objetivo de llevar a la práctica en lo local este paradigma. Su finalidad última es promover un movimiento de participación ciudadana protagonizado por las personas mayores como generadoras de bienestar, traspasando las barreras del envejecimiento activo hacia un concepto más amplio de ciudadanía. Además, es necesario que se adapte a la época actual en la que las nuevas generaciones reclaman un espacio donde poder desarrollarse y contribuir en procesos con grupos y comunidades con las que se identifican, independientemente de su edad. La revolución de la longevidad plantea retos, que podemos y debemos aprovechar para construir una sociedad mejor, más igualitaria y capaz de reconocer el valor de cada persona con independencia de su edad y condición social, cultural o racial.Palabras Clave: Envejecimiento activo, ciudades amigables, participación, personas mayores, ciudadanía.ABSTRACTThe concept of active ageing first appeared in 1999, including the scientific tradition of the positive paradigm of ageing. Active ageing unifies the notions of health, independence, good aging and participation, being this last one the central component. This paradigm was assumed as a broad political response to demographic ageing, which tries to change the traditional concept of old age, providing older people with new roles. The initiative “Age-Friendly Cities and Communities”, launched by the WHO in 2005, was raised with the aim of applying this paradigm into practice at the local level. Its purpose is to promote a movement of citizen participation where older people have the leading role as generators of well-being, transcending the barriers of active aging towards a broader concept of citizenship. Additionally, it should be adapted to the current era in which the new generations demand a space where they can develop and contribute to processes with groups and communities which they are identified with, regardless of their age. The revolution of longevity poses challenges, which we can and must take advantage of in order to build a better, more egalitarian society and able to recognise the value of each person regardless of their age and social, cultural or racial condition.Keywords: Active ageing, friendly cities, participation, older people, citizenship.

Turns of Direct Democracy at the Local Level in Latvia

2022 ◽  
pp. 91-114
Author(s):  
Lilita Seimuskane ◽  
Maris Pukis
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Direct Democracy ◽  
Local Level ◽  
National Government ◽  
Current Level ◽  
Study Participation ◽  
The Government

The chapter provides analysis of obstacles for the introduction of direct citizen participation in the decision-making process at the local self-governments in Latvia, as well as intents of national government to widen participative democracy by formalization of consultation mechanisms. Within the scope of this study, participation is seen as an interaction form of relationship between citizens and a local government. The highest form, according to Arnstein's gradation theory of a ladder of citizen participation, refers to the participation degree called partnership, delegated power, and is described by Teorell as a citizen voice in the government. Situation and perspective of local government referendums are analysed. Consultation is implemented at the level by involving the residents in the work of local government commissions and implementing public deliberations. Administrative territorial reform, performed by 2021 elections, will decrease the number of local governments to a third of their current level.

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