Symposium Public Participation Center: Inclusion in Citizen Participation

In the third symposium of the Public Participation Center we will share research findings, practical examples and new perspectives to explore what inclusive citizen participation is, and how to achieve this.

We would like to invite you to our third symposium about inclusion in citizen participation. We will first listen to three presenters, among which is the Green Mayor of Groningen, Peter Bootsma. After that we will embody and experience inclusion in participation by taking part in a roleplay made by Peter himself.

Speakers

Fleur Goedkoop , postdoctoral researcher at the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen

Topic: Inclusion in Energy Communities
“Do socio-demographic groups differ in their involvement in energy communities, and why? Energy communities could help in promoting a sustainable energy transition and have the potential to represent a shift towards more equitable energy systems in which citizens play a central role. The underlying rationale is that citizens from different socio-demographic groups – such as different genders, income levels, and educational attainment – should be equally likely to get involved. The question is whether this is really the case and what can explain potential differences between groups. We examined this as part of the Horizon 2020 EC2 project - Energy Citizenship and Energy communities for a Clean-Energy Transition. In this talk I will discuss our findings and practical implications."

Peter A.J. Bootsma, chair of vereniging Noorden Duurzaam and the Green Mayor of Groningen

Topic: Workshop Inclusion and Sustainable Transition
“In this workshop we will research how vulnerable groups can be heard and can have a voice in the energy transition, protein transition, climate adaptation, circular economy and other forms of sustainable development. Without warranting the opinion of these groups, their motivation to contribute, and thereby the transition result, is at stake. We will test and work with the practical model ‘Task Democracy’ that can be applied to a neighborhood, village, or even bigger contexts. The model is designed to create coordination and task division within all societal groups that can contribute to transitions. The model also promotes self-organization of the least organized groups.”

Franzisca Bos-Beeken , researcher at the University of Groningen

Topic: Religion and Citizen Participation
“In this talk, I will share initial insights from my PhD research, highlighting the intricate ways in which secular and religious elements intersect within the broader landscape of citizen participation. By addressing the concept of "religion" in the public sphere, I will present early findings from my fieldwork. This research project demonstrates how religious organizations can play a pivotal role in fostering community engagement and promoting sustainable practices. Understanding these dynamics is crucial in the context of climate change, as incorporating diverse perspectives into the narratives and policies being implemented can enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of our responses to this global challenge."

In the first half of the symposium, the presenters will share their insights and have a discussion with the audience about how participation affects us in our work and our lives in general. 

The second half will get more practical and use a participation tool developed by Peter Bootsma called 'Task Democracy' to embody different roles in (citizen) participation.

Questions? Send an email to Wytse Gorter: w.a.gorter rug.nl.