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The Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice. The Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice. Established in 1996 Working for social and economic change Tackling poverty and exclusion. Consists of:. Society of St. Vincent de Paul Vincentian Congregation
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The Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice
The Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice Established in 1996 Working for social and economic change Tackling poverty and exclusion
Consists of: • Society of St. Vincent de Paul • Vincentian Congregation • Daughters of Charity • Sisters of the Holy Faith
Democracy Commission 2004 “The collective participation by citizens in political decision making is critical to achieving equality in our society.If citizens cannot or will not participate in political decision making at a local; national or European/ global level, then democracy is weakened”
Voting Trends Ballyfermot/Cherry Orchard 49.17% increase of 21% SWICN 43.64% increase of 13.21% Finglas/Cabra 54.43% increase of 16.35% Corduff 51% increase of 31% Tallaght Central 54.88% increase of 24.11% Bray 54.59% increase of 12.22%
Non Voters: The Experience of the Vincentian Partnership • believe that their vote/voice has no value • do not know how to complete a ballot sheet or how to register as a voter • are intimidated by the language and the presentation of politicians and candidates.
Non Voters: The Experience of the Vincentian Partnership • have lost confidence in politicians because of the scandals/tribunals • Many people have given up voting because they experience the growing gap between the richest and poorest people in our society
Why the programme? • Many people in disadvantaged areas are alienated from society and from the democratic electoral process. • There is very little effort being made by social and political leaders in Ireland today to recognise, understand and respond to this decreased participation in the democratic process.
Voting Trends – General Elections • 28 Year Period 1977 (75.66 % turnout) to 2002 (62.7% turnout)
Why the programme? • Limited participation in voting means a limited voice, limited influence, limited power, limited resources for an area and limited change. • VPSJ believes a just society is one where “all the voices are heard” Your Vote = Your Voice
The Voter Education Programme • Is 85% participation and 15% presentation • Is strictly non-party political • Has been used with positive results with a wide variety of groups(600+) • Is enjoyable, informative and interesting • Has encouraged people to • Believe in their power to influence change • To participate in local community • To use their civil right to vote
The Active Citizenship/Voter Education Programme Unit I Our Voices Our Vote • Why vote? • How do I vote? Unit II Issues • What do I vote about? • Things that are important to me… my issues/our voices Unit III Candidates • Who do I vote for? • How do I make up my mind? • Making a choice
The Active Citizenship/Voter Education Programme Unit IV Local Government Elections • What is Local Government? • What does it do? • Making a choice Unit V European Union Elections • What is the EU? • How it grew and keeps growing • Ireland and the EU • Voting in the EU
UNIT 1 Explores • A Brief History of Voting • Reasons To Vote • Political Parties - What are They? • How to Register • How to Vote
UNIT 2 Explores • Issues Related to The Next Election • Visions of A Just Society • Developing a Position on a Issue • What is a Spin and How it Affects an Issue?
UNIT 3 Explores • Who Are The Candidates? • How Do I Decide for Whom to VOTE? • Holding Elected Officials Accountable After Election.
Active Citizenship/ Voter Education Group 2009After The Elections
After the Elections How to Keep Engaged • Getting to Know Your TDs • Who is Who in The Dail • Identifying Issues Needing Attention of TD • Developing a Position on The Issue • The 3 Ps – • Prepare • Present • Persist • Success Stories
Impact of Voter Education Programmes Turnout increase in: • Fatima Mansions (consequence of locally based voter education programme) • Portlaoise (high turnout of non-nationals)
Voting Trends – General Elections • 28 Year Period 1977 (75.66 % turnout) to 2002 (62.7% turnout) • Trend reversed 2004 8.6% increase
Active Citizenship/ Voter Education Group 2009Ballyfermot, Dublin, Ireland
Some Comments From Participants • “I realise that I am the expert on my issues, notthe politicians” • “To think we used to be intimidated by politicians!” • “For the first time I had the confidence and the words to tell politicians what needs to happen in my area” • “I never thought that the day would come when I could follow a T.V. Election debate”
Some Comments From Participants • “For years I felt I could not make a difference, now I know I can” • “There are many women in the world who would love to vote and can’t” • “People struggled so we can vote” • “Voting brings about change” • “I know how to examine what the politicians say”
Some Comments From Participants • “I have a responsibility to my children and my area” • “If I don’t vote, I can’t complain about the politicians, I helped to put them in” • “When I vote I have the right to make demands on politicians” • “I’ve learned that my issues count”
The Process The Process has encouraged people to:- • Participate in the life of the local community • Believe in their power to influence decisions and bring about change • To use their power as citizens
Community groups find the programme enjoyable, interesting and informative, and it has been used with very encouraging results by more than 500 such groups. These include adult learners who are:- young mothers – lone parents – travellers – unemployed – young adults – community leaders– in drugs recovery programmes – living with disabilities – on FAS training or Community Employment Schemes.
and many others......... including people with learning disabilities who attend Programmes in Leadership and Advocacy in - • Trinity College • IT Mountjoy Square • IT Blanchardstown • IT Dundalk
Some Outcomes “In working through the programme, voices that were at first timid and uncertain became more vigorous and assured. Participants explored a more thoughtful and more demanding use of their personal vote, realising their power as voters to bring about change”. Two facilitators of the Active Citizenship Programme
Some groups have moved through these workshops to collectively pursue shared issues though considered political actions. These issues include: - Drugs, Low Income, Women’s Health Care, Traffic Calming, Transport, Local Environment and Discrimination against Travellers Actions taken include liaison with other community groups, research, publication of findings, media presentations and lobbying of elected representatives at Local, National and European levels of Government
Some groups have moved through these workshops to collectively pursue shared issues though considered political actions. Processes of change were initiated when the voices of these voters were heard and included in decision-making. The team of facilitators working on the Active Citizenship Programme also generated summary position documents on a wide range of Social justice issues.
“Bad Officials are Elected by Good Citizens Who do not Vote” (George Jean Nathan)
