Key Questions:
- How can media (meaning the channels and tools of communication we use) be leveraged to encourage civic participation?
- What can community organizers, technologists and others learn from academic literature (and vice versa)?
- How do we develop responsive citizen engagement and consultation strategies/campaigns?
The gist so far:
We have started a reading group for civic-minded (and often young) people in the Ottawa area! Once a month student and community leaders read a few peer-reviewed journal articles and come together to discuss the potential impact and relevance of that literature on the civic engagement activities they are working on. From iVote, an on campus student initiative, to Equal Voice, to Ottawa Civic Tech – reading group members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience which can spark insightful discussion and help build networks.
Elizabeth Dubois 