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How the programme is developing
As we explained at the launch of the programme in November 2005:
Over the next six months the Department for Constitutional Affairs will be working with other departments and practitioners to pilot ways in which civil servants can learn the practicalities of engagement. We hope people involved in the first programme will then help us develop more learning networks.
We are looking for up to 50 people in government to join us in creating three action learning networks, and also for practitioners interested in sharing their experience.
Out first thoughts were that groups might form around Together We Can themes of: Citizens and Democracy; Health and Sustainability; Regeneration and Cohesion; Safety and Justice
Update after first event
We held the first meeting of about 20 participants, plus support team, on December 14 2005 at the DCA. More at the links below.
After presentations, we invited participants to share their interests, and discuss further in groups. These formed around turning engagement into action; community cohesion; innovation, with some of the issues raised also reflecting those in the Together We Can programme.
We also presented back a map of who was connecting with whom in development engagement programmes. This was based on a request to those attending to give us their five main connections.
It will be up to the groups how they work - as a team on a specific project or issues, or helping each on a range of issues. Over the next few weeks we will be using an online communications system for further discussion, and meeting again in January.
Support is being be provided by a specialist team - David Wilcox and Drew Mackie of Partnerships Online, and Richard Wilson and Diane Warburton of Involve.
The team will help run workshops for the groups, to complement informal meetings, and also support the online system with several elements:
- an email and web learning space for the groups - more here
- a public site with updates about the programme - a development of this site
- a public site with engagement content and links
In developing communications, we’ll provide opportunities to try out different tools like blogs and wikis
The communications system will be designed to provide opportunities for interaction between civil servants in the action learning networks, and others outside government involved in public engagement. We also plan to run some joint events.
Second event
The second major event is taking place on February 10 2006.
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for more information, subscribe for updates (see left), or call David Wilcox 020 7600 0104
