Civic Engagement Manifesto
Through action, learning and interaction, we continuously explore deeper forms of civic engagement. Throughout this journey, we have come to value:
- Inclusive and diverse dialogue over one-way input from experts or authorities
- Ongoing interaction and collaboration over one-off, fleeting participation opportunities
- Evidence-based and experience-driven collective action over closed, top-down decision-making models
- Adaptive responsiveness to local needs over rigid standardized procedures
That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more.
Principles Behind the Civic Engagement Manifesto
- Inclusion and Equality: Encourage participation from varied ethnicities, ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds, ensuring all voices are fairly engaged.
- Deep Interaction and Trust: Maintain regular dialogue, genuine collaboration, and feedback mechanisms to foster long-term connections and social capital, allowing participants to feel respected and valued.
- Evidence-Based Decision-Making: Draw on research, data, and local knowledge to understand core issues and co-develop feasible solutions.
- Flexibility and Innovation: Adapt engagement methods as societal contexts and needs evolve, leveraging new tools to broaden impact.
- Co-Creation of Public Value: Build trust and shared values through policymaking, volunteer initiatives, community projects, and neighborly support, ultimately advancing resilience and collective well-being.