Member Article

Local democracy on the agenda at Media Centre

The Media Centre is the venue for a free two day event this weekend (Saturday 12-Sunday 13 February) for people with a keen interest in local democracy.

Organised by the Notwestminster network, the programme will provide a forum to discuss how to improve our local democracy, plus practical ideas way of putting those ideas into action.

Government officers, councillors, activists and, more generally, the voters of today and tomorrow, will be welcome from 10am on Friday 12th February, to take part in the creative, problem-solving Local Democracy Maker Day.

That evening, from 7pm, Notwestminster have curated a PechaKucha Night, a programme of speakers from the local democracy network.

Andrew Wilson, founder of the Hannah Festival and directory, will present the story of Regional Democracy in England’s North so far, before investigating how communities can work together to achieve more in Yorkshire.

Matt Clack will ask the question ‘Are public servants human too?’, a session which encourages public servants to tell their personal stories; and writer and historian Jill Liddington will recall how Yorkshire suffragettes demanded a voice in Westminster in her ‘Votes for Women’ talk.

A number of talks, workshops and activities will run the following day, with topics including how to involve young people in democracy, experiences of the role of councillor, storytelling, how to use and share data, how to redesign the council meeting and ways of helping people be part of civic conversations. Encouraging people to come along and join in the debate, Notwestminster’s Diane Sims said: “We look forward to welcoming people with examples and ideas to share. It’s a great opportunity to develop prototypes, explore opportunities and connect with others who can help make local democracy work better for all of us. If you have something positive to say about local democracy, this event is for you.”

All the events are free.

Advance booking for the Notwestminster main event and Maker Day are essential

Visit: Notwestminster.org.uk

Pre-registration for the PechaKucha Night is advised.

For more information about all the events visit Notwestminster.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Katie Mallinson .