EDUCATION FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS

The Association of Leaders of Local Civic Groups,

24 November 2011

Szymon OsowskiAgnieszka Podgórska

•How to reach people?•How to balance number of local government officials and local residents? •What should be taught? •What methods should be applied?

WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS

Questions and dilemmas:

WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS Different ideas for reaching people?

• Cooperation with partner NGOs• Advertising in local newspapers• Internet campaigns• Cooperation with libraries• Using contacts and development by snowball method• Call for offers – we provide trainers and materials and

some local NGOs/groups/people make the rest

WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGSScope of education?

Right to Know – what it is?Whose right is it?Who is obliged to provide information?Procedures

WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS Methods for education:

Active – work with documents, puzzles, drawing imaginary situations and quizzes.

Flexibility – as regards time of day, duration and methods

WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS Effects

2007-2011 – 40 workshops provided in Poland

2007-2011 around 600 participants

15 trainers – lawyers and local residents

Number of the Right to Know users after workshops: unknown

WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS Pros and Cons

Cons: Big effortA lot of drop-outsDifficulties with finding money for so flexible activities

Pros:Energy from people – it makes us believe that this is importantConstant listening to the people needsThe only way to reach some people with knowledge on RTKBuilding constituency

ENGAGING PEOPLE TO MAKE USE OF THE RIGHT TO KNOW

Simple actions based on our litigation casesInternet postcards summarizing cases that can be close to people – public transportation, health, exclusion and encouraging people to send massive requests connected with those cases.

Long-term monitoring of certain local budget area

Local residents learn: on their rights, requesting procedures,how the law works in practice, what is the value of official information and what can be done thanks to it.

Long-term monitoring of certain local budget area