What this lesson teaches
I can explain how citizens can shape decisions on public matters, for example through feedback and dialogue.
Syllabus K336, Issue 1, Guiding Question 4. Influencing decision making in public affairs
Make a guess
A town council invites everyone to an online poll about a new park. Thousands reply. Do you think everyone's views were heard?
- Yes, because thousands of replies is a large and useful number.
- Yes, because each resident was invited to reply.
- Not necessarily, since some cannot use online polls.
Show the answer
Not necessarily, since some cannot use online polls.
Work, language, disability and internet access affect who takes part. Numbers alone do not show every group was heard.
Inviting everyone is not enough. Different times, formats and ways to give views help more people take part.
Work, caring duties, language, disability, internet access and confidence all affect whether people can take part. Missing a meeting does not show that someone is not interested. A popular online poll may still miss people who cannot use it or do not know about it.
Government and community organisers can offer different routes: evening discussions, phone or paper feedback, accessible venues and clear explanations in different languages. Individuals can share their own experience and help others find a way to take part. But they should not claim to speak for others without permission.
More responses are useful, but numbers alone do not show that every affected group was heard. Check whose views are included and reach out to people who may be missing. Listening to different needs leads to better decisions, even when views clash.
- Barriers
- Work, caring duties, language, disability, internet access, confidence.
- Remedies
- Different times, formats, languages and accessible venues.
- Check
- Whose views are missing?
Real examples to use
Seniors Go Digital, 2020
A programme launched in 2020 to help older residents learn to use smartphones and digital services, with help at community centres and service booths. Use it for removing a barrier so more people can take part.
Our Singapore Conversation, 2012 to 2013
A national dialogue that heard from about 47,000 people through many sessions. Use it for consultation that invited views from a wide range of people.
Worked example: Hearing from people who missed the meeting
A weekday afternoon meeting attracts mostly retirees. Shift workers and caregivers cannot come. The organiser adds an evening session and phone feedback, and a community group spreads the word.
- The first meeting left out working people and caregivers.
- New times and formats remove those barriers.
- More groups' views reach the decision-makers. They may raise concerns the first meeting missed, and they should be weighed on their merits, not by how many people hold them.
Watch out for this
Everyone was invited, so the views collected represent everyone.
An invitation does not remove barriers. The views collected are still useful, but check who could actually take part and whose experiences are missing.
Check your understanding
A consultation is held online only. Who is most likely to be left out?
- Students who use their phones daily for school.
- Office workers who use computers at work.
- Older residents without internet access.
Show the answer
Older residents without internet access.
Yes. An online-only format creates a barrier for them.