Dundonians - Let's Act As If We Own The Place!

Our Democracy - Act As If We Own The Place is a coalition of organisations, campaigners and citizens who are dedicated to improving our local democracy. The campaign arises from a simple idea: that human beings flourish when they have control over their own lives. We think communities can redesign their local democracy to work better for them, thriving all the more by taking control of their community’s future.

Act As If You Own The Place events are taking place across Scotland. Here we will plan how to make a positive impact in our communities and put local people in control. We welcome you to The Shore to hear local, national and international speakers and to have your chance to put your ideas forward as part of a day of professionally facilitated discussion.

If democracy is about anything it is about us running our own affairs. That is why we are asking you to ‘act as if you own the place’ - if the citizens of a village, town, city or country don’t own it, then who does?

There has never been a more exciting time to get involved in the campaign for a better local democracy. Moreover, there has never been a time when it has been more needed. Our democracy isn’t working in the way it should. To renew and extend the control we have in our communities, it needs a shot in the arm - from you.

Programme for the day

Start at 10:30 with Introductions with simple structured approach to meet others in the room.

This will be an interactive session where people in the room brainstorm issues and problems that are important to them. We will draw themes from and ‘rank’ these issues so we can focus on those of greatest importance to everyone in the room.

Speakers will stimulate our thinking by reflecting on how local democracy works in other places and also sharing a story of a successful project in Dundee.

Speakers:

Willie Sulivan

Willie is the Director of ERS Scotland. He has worked at senior levels in the business, voluntary and public sector. He was the Campaign consultant on the successful Fairshare Campaign for introduction of STV for Scottish Local Government and was Campaign Director for Vote for a Change, the campaign to secure a referendum on electoral reform. Willie was seconded to be Head of Field Operations for the Yes campaign in the UK wide AV referendum. He also has been a paid political advisor to senior politicians in the UK and Scottish governments.

Derek Robertson

Engaging primary school learners in purposeful and relevant learning about civic society and their stake and ownership in it can be a challenge. An appropriate strategy to help make this happen can be found when learning such as this is situated in a context that has cultural relevance for learners. In this presentation Derek Robertson from the University of Dundee will share how his Minecraft on the Waterfront enabled young learners from Dundee to engage with the recent changes to their city's waterfront and in so doing, reimagine, redesign and recreate what their vision of an effective city space might look like

Spanish speaker

We will also hear from the municipal movement in Spain (Speaker TBA) you can read about the movement here: http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2017/02/06/building-a-counter-power/

This will be our opportunity to work in groups to apply our experience and what we learned from the talks to begin to address the prioritised issues from the morning.

Short ‘wrap up’ to the day and agreeing what is next for ‘OOR Democracy’ in Dundee.