aspiration“In a democratic community, people participate in decision-making and local government processes are transparent and accountable. People have confidence that government will make good decisions and run for elected positions. Because they are engaged they feel empowered, that they have personal political efficacy and that they are in control of their destinies. People feel that they have equality before the law and fair and equal access to the justice system. Media ownership is shared, government is accountable and events are reported accurately (1).”

link between health and democratic and engaged communitiesOne of the core values of integrated health promotion is to “emphasise active consumer and community participation in processes that encourage people to have a say about what influences their health & wellbeing and what would make a difference (2).”

The notion of increased community action and empowerment of the individual is a strong principle behind the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and the Jakarta Declaration (3,4).

Participation and involvement in local governments are the hallmarks of strong communities (5).

Effective community engagement generates better decisions, delivering sustainable economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits (6).

There are tangible benefits for communities such as improved health and wellbeing outcomes, a more inclusive society and the creation of sustainable, liveable places and spaces.

Community engagement is critical to effective, transparent and accountable governance in the public, community and private sectors (6). Its universal interest and importance is expressed in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (7).

Healthy communities require a balance of three types of social connection (5):

1. Close personal networks (families, close friendship groups);

2. Broader associational and community networks (clubs, volunteering, workplaces, interest groups, schools etc); and

3. Governance networks (networks of decision makers, connections with institutions).

These three network-types provide different benefits for individuals and communities - each a foundation for building the other (see table over page).

This Fact Sheet focuses on governance networks and opportunities for civic (community) engagement. The importance of the other two networks are discussed in Fact Sheet 1.

FACT SHEET 5

provides insight into what

defines democratic and

engaged communities and

how this is critical to our

health and wellbeing. It

outlines best practice citizen

engagement and indicators

for measuring progress. It also

highlights a number of City

of Ballarat and community

processes currently working

towards this goal - specifically

the many opportunities for

public participation.

1

FACT SHEETdemocratic & engaged communities

5

2

democratic & engaged communities

citizen engagementCivic participation is “the involvement in activities reflecting interest and engagement with governance and democracy” and includes but is not limited to:

• serving on committees of clubs and associations;

• contacting members of parliament, local councillors;

• membership of political parties, trade unions and professional associations;

• writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper; and

• attending community consultations or public meetings (8).

Community engagement describes a broad range of interactions between people and has been defined as “... the mutual communication and deliberation that occurs between government and citizens” (9)

The International Conference on Engaging Communities held in Brisbane in 2005, recognised that community engagement is a two way process by which:

• “the aspirations, concerns, needs and values of citizens and communities are incorporated at all levels and in all sectors in policy development, planning, decision making, service delivery and assessment, and

• governments and other businesses and civil society organisations involve citizens, clients, communities and other stakeholders in these processes” (6).

Council has committed to implementing best practice procedures for its governance and community engagement processes so that residents have confidence in its processes, decision making and opportunities for participation. Community Engagement is at the heart of the ‘Ballarat: Today, Tomorrow, Together’ framework and Council Plan (10). The ‘community conversation’ about the future direction of Ballarat that started with the development of Blueprint Ballarat continues with a biennial community summit (held in April 2009). As Council progresses towards best practice community engagement, community members will have many ways and opportunities to participate in decisions that affect them and their local community. These include: focus groups, surveys, information sessions, site walks, advisory committees, community forums and open days (10).

Network type Benefit

Close Personal Networks • Provides individuals with skills, confidence, support, practical help, contacts and resources

Associational and Community Networks

• A wider pool of people to draw support, practical help, contacts and resources

• Connects people to career paths and employment

• Positive community attitudes and norms (e.g. tolerance of diversity, positive norms that decrease antisocial behaviour)

• Social integration

• Spread of information and innovation

Governance Networks • Better and more democratic organisation of assets and services (social equality)

• Citizens concerns, needs and values are incorporated into government decision making

Three types of networks for healthy communities

Ballarat residents discussing community issues with Cr Taylor

3

Indicators: Civic Engagement* (11)

Ballarat (%) Victoria (%)

Is a member of an organised group 45.8 51.4

Group has taken local action 47.6 51.5

Are you on a decision making board 16.0 22.5 or committee?

Do you feel valued by society? 68.0 69.3

Do you feel there are opportunities 58.4 59.1 to have a real say on issues?

Women elected as councillors 33.3 N/A

* Based on a telephone survey using a random sample of 300 people over 18 from each LGA in Victoria in 2006 (11) N/A: Not Available

Other Possible Indicators (12)

• % of people who have attended a town meeting, public hearing or public affairs discussion -group in the last 12 months

• % of people who have met with, called or sent a letter to any local politician

• % of people who have joined a protest or demonstration in the last 12 months

• % of people who have signed a petition in the last 12 months

• % of women standing for council

• % people who feel they have an opportunity to vote for a political candidate they trust

• % of Council’s community engagement processes that are representative of the socio-demographic make-up of the Ballarat population

SSMART ANSWERS Conference 2009- young people tackling binge drinking Community members participating in the Ballarat Community Summit, April 2009

Newly appointed Multicultural Ambassadors getting to know one another

Cr Bromfield hearing from young people at YHQ

4

democratic & engaged communities

Spotlight on Best Practice Models and Tools

The International Association for Public (IAP2) participation framework for best practice was adopted by Council in November 2006 (13). It sets out a clear and concise ladder of community participation and engagement to ensure that public participation processes are integrated into the development of Council’s policies, planning, service provision and decisions. While Council is still responsible for decision making, public participation helps to both inform and enhance Council’s decisions and community outcomes by incorporating the community’s aspirations, concerns, needs and values.

The diagram over page shows the varying levels of public impact on decision making and consultative processes. Empowerment is seen as the highest level of engagement and participation where the final place of decision-making is in the hands of the community (14).

There are a wide range of methods and technologies, including new and emerging tools associated with the internet, to facilitate appropriate and effective community engagement (6,9,14,15).

These new technologies and tools offer innovation and can help facilitate a diverse range of values and perspectives to be freely and fairly expressed and heard; inclusive, representative and deliberative democracy.

Ballarat Youth Council

5

of Public Participation

IAP2 Spectrum

www.iap2.org

6

democratic & engaged communities

Spotlight on Community Indicators Victoria

Community Indicators Victoria (CIV)* was created to support the development and use of local community wellbeing indicators as a basis for informed, engaged and integrated community planning and policy making (1). In particular, local community wellbeing indicators are viewed as:

• A democratic tool for engaging citizens and communities in informed discussions about shared goals and priorities;

• A policy tool, guiding evidence-based planning and action to address the issues identified as important by communities;

• A reporting tool, tracking and communicating progress towards agreed goals and outcomes.

*CIV is a collaborative initiative hosted by the McCaughey Centre: VicHealth Centre for the Promotion of Mental Health and Community Wellbeing, University of Melbourne. The McCaughey Centre works in partnership with a wide range of community, government and academic organisations and individuals to support the development and implementation of Community Indicators Victoria’s objectives.

To find out more go to www.communityindicators.net.au

SSMART ANSWERS Conference, 2009 - young people tackling binge drinking

7

Diversity of voices, values and opinions in Ballarat

Socio-demographic category* Number %

GenderMales 40,663 48

Females 43,993 52

Age / life stageChildren 0-11 years 13,336 15.8

Young people 12-24 17.149 20.3

Adults 25-59 38,241 45.3

Seniors 60+ 15,658 18.6

Cultural diversityIndigenous 882 1.0

Born overseas 6,643 7.9

DisabilityPeople with a disability 4,159 7.6

Most disadvantaged neighbourhoodsWendouree 10,750 12.7

Sebastopol 8,045 9.5

Redan 2,958 3.5

Ballarat East 7,453 8.8

Delacombe 4,558 5.4

Golden Pt - Mt Pleasant - Canadian 6,609 7.8

*ABS Census (16)

Spotlight on Community Engagement in Ballarat

Understanding the diversity and dynamism of the Ballarat population is fundamental to developing capability to engage the community in the delivery of the community’s vision for a “safe, healthy, environmentally sustainable…community” (10). An ageing population, population growth, increasing cultural diversity, long-term disadvantage in some parts of the community; coupled with the global environmental and economic crisis and ongoing, rapid rate of technological change, present challenges and opportunities for decision-makers. The adjacent table illustrates some aspects of diversity in the Ballarat population.

Of course there are also a diversity of voices, values and opinions within demographic categories. For example, not all men will share the same view on an issue and neither will all women. In addition, any individual may be described by more than one of these categories; for example, a young male born in Britain and living with a disability.

Council’s services are continuing to develop best practice engagement with diverse groups. Some examples include:

• techniques for engaging with young children as citizens to progress Ballarat’s ‘Child Friendly City’ status granted by UNICEF in 2007 (17,18).

• leading in youth participation through: Youth Council, planning and delivery of the Youth Festival and providing a voice for young people to develop solutions to tackle binge drinking (SSMART ANSWERS Conference 2009) (19).

• developing a Positive Ageing Strategy which demonstrated best practice engagement with seniors resulting in a seniors grants programme and a soon to be established Seniors Advisory Committee (20).

• Working with community members on the Disability Advisory Committee to facilitate access and inclusion for all (21).

• Supporting the new Multicultural Ambassadors to assist in providing a voice for culturally and linguistically diverse groups in Ballarat and the implementation of the Cultural Diversity Strategy (22).

Children ‘having a say’ about the development of the Central Business District

8

references1. Victorian Community Indicators Project. [Report on the internet]. Measuring wellbeing; engaging communities. Developing a community indicators framework for Victoria. The final report of the Victorian Community Indicators Project. July 2006 [cited 2009 July10]. Available from: http://www.communityindicators.net.au/about_us

2. Victorian Government Department of Human Services. Integrated health promotion resource kit. A practice guide for service providers. Victoria 2003.

3. World Health Organisation. The Ottawa Charter for health promotion. Geneva, 1986.

4. World Health Organisation. The Jakarta Declaration on health promotion in the twenty first century. Geneva 1997.

5. Victorian Government Department for Victorian Communities. [Report on the internet]. Indicators of community strength: a framework and evidence. Victoria 2006. [cited 2009 July16]. Available from: http://www.dvc.vic.gov.au/Web14/dvc/rwpgslib.nsf/GraphicFiles/Indicators_of_Community_Strength_framework_and_evidence.pdf/$file/Indicators+of+Community+Strength_framework+and+evidence.pdf

6. International Conference on Engaging Communities 2005. [Declaration on the internet]. The United Nations Brisbane Declaration on Community Engagement. Brisbane, August 2005. [cited 2009 August 26]. Available from: http://www.iap2.org.au/resources/cid/24/parent/0/t/resources

7. United Nations. [Declaration on the internet]. Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 1948. [cited 2009 August 23]. Available from: http://www.universalrights.net/main/declarat.htm

8. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Information paper. Measuring social capital. An Australian framework and indicators. No:1378, 2004.

9. Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment. [Effective engagement page on the internet]. Effective engagement: building relationships with community and other stakeholders. [cited 2009 August 25]. The Community Engagement Network. September 2005, Melbourne. Available from: www.dse.vic.gov.au/engage

10. City of Ballarat. [Report on the internet]. Council Plan 2009-2013. [cited 2009 August 25]. Available from: http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au

11. Victorian Government Department for Victorian Communities. [Report on the internet]. Indicators of community strength at the Local Government Area Level in Victoria 2006 [cited 2009 July15]. Available from: http://www.dvc.vic.gov.au/Web14/dvc/rwpgslib.nsf/GraphicFiles/Ballarat/$file/Ballarat.pdf

12. Community Indicators Victoria. [Data framework page on the internet]. The McCaughey Centre, School of Population Health, University of Melbourne. [cited 2009 July15]. Available from: http://www.communityindicators.net.au/data_framework

13. City of Ballarat. [Information page on the internet]. Public participation, community consultation and engagement. [cited 2009 August 25]. Available from: http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au

14. International Association for Public Participation Australasia. [Resources page on the internet]. IAP2 Public Participation Spectrum. [cited 2009 August 25]. International Association for Public Participation, 2004. Available from: http://www.iap2.org.au/sitebuilder/resources/knowledge/asset/files/36/iap2spectrum.pdf

15. City of Port Phillip. [Report on the internet]. City of Port Phillip Community Plan 2007-2017. [cited 2009 August 25]. Available from: http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/

16. Australian Bureau of Statistics. [Data page on the internet]. Ballarat community profile. Census 2006. [cited 2009 July 30]. profile.id . Available from: http://www.id.com.au/profile/Default.aspx?id=210&pg=119&gid=10&type=enum

17. City of Ballarat. [Report on the internet ]. Becoming a child & family friendly city. Report on findings, 2007. [cited 2009 August 24]. Available from: http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au

18. UNICEF. [Report on the internet]. Child Friendly City Framework. [cited 2009 August 10]. Available from: http://www.childfriendlycities.org/building-a-cfc/building-blocks/

19. City of Ballarat. [Report on the internet].Youth Strategy 2009-2014 [cited 2009 August 24]. Available from: http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/

20. City of Ballarat. [Report on the internet]. Positive Ageing Strategy 2008-2014 [cited 2009 August 24]. Available from: http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/

21. City of Ballarat. [Report on the internet]. Disability Action Plan, 2003. [cited 2009 August 24]. Available from: http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au

22. City of Ballarat. [Report on the internet]. Cultural Diversity Strategy. 2009-2014. [cited 2009 August 23]. Available from: http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/

your feedbackIf you are interested in providing feedback to inform the ongoing development and implementation of the City of Ballarat’s Health & Wellbeing Plan, please contact:

Sally Bodenham on 5320 5704 or email: sallybodenham@ballarat.vic.gov.au

This Fact Sheet is one of a series which are available at the City of Ballarat website:

Fact Sheet 1: Healthy, safe & inclusive communities

Fact Sheet 2: Sustainable built & natural environments

Fact Sheet 3: Dynamic, resilient local economies

Fact Sheet 4: Culturally rich & vibrant communities

Fact Sheet 5: Democratic & engaged communities

democratic & engaged communities