Report: Workshop in Newcastle (KwaZulu Natal)

For citizens to become equal partners in the search for solutions to the common problems we face in our democracy we need communication strategies that builds on the power of people to change things rather than structures and institutions. This was the premise of a workshop presented by media@idasa with journalists, government communicators and civil society representatives held in Newcastle this month (May 2009). The workshop was an opportunity for participants to assess the way they currently engage with citizens and their potential to catalyse new energy in a conversation about the collective power of citizens to identify and solve the big problems we face in our communities.

The 25 participants started the workshop by identifying those issues that were common problems in the communities where they work and live. At the start of the discussions it was clear that participants were stuck in old habits of communication. In this model journalists and communicators “inform” citizens about what these problems really are and then prescribing possible solutions. In exploring different models of democratic practice the participants recognised their mode of engaging with citizens as being one where citizens are narrowly defined as people with rights and as consumers of government services rather than co-creators of society and agents of change. Their view of the government’s role was that of consultation and feedback processes at times and places as determined by government rather than government being a catalyst for partnerships between themselves and citizens. Participants had an opportunity to consider their own work from the perspective of a civic agency framework. This framework required them to interrogate their understanding of democracy, citizenship and social change. “When I look at the problems in my community I now know the solution is also within me,” was how one participant reflected on her learning experience after this session. Another participant said he had realised that involving citizens doesn’t mean doing things for citizens but rather creating spaces where citizens can get the information they need so that they themselves can act.

The workshop also looked at the value of building relationships with citizens that will enable journalists and communicators to delve for sources beyond the experts and professional knowledge in communities. Participants were asked to map the communities where they work and live and to think about different layers and dimensions of community life and different kinds of leaders that could help them to generate information. Making connections with citizens on all levels of community life will assist them to generate information that is useful for citizens when they need to engage with other citizens to deal collectively with problems.

On the last day participants looked at some pertinent case studies where citizens acted on information and they had an opportunity to reflect on the lessons in these case studies for their own work. “Before the workshop I thought that I had to wait for someone to do things for me. Now I understand that I have to take initiative not forgetting to involve the community,” was one participant’s evaluation of the most useful insight from the workshop. Another said that it was most useful to consider the different ways that communities could participate in problem solving. “They may have unique and interesting points of view.”

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