Notice Board - News

Community influence on government decisions

The Muttart Foundation, Canada

Canadian study explores community's influence on government decisions.

The Muttart Foundation-commissioned report on 'Improving the non-profit, voluntary and charitable sector's effectiveness in influencing decisions of government' should be of interest to many in New Zealand, especially those observing the implementation of New Zealand's own Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community Government Relationship.

Page 15 of the Canadian document summarises 4 recommendations:

1. Help build the sector's understanding, capacity and "street smarts" about government, politics and public-policy advocacy.
2. Facilitate access by sector organisations to external, expert advice and assistance in public-policy advocacy.
3. Promote, develop and disseminate knowledge and learning tools about public-policy advocacy.
4. Confront key systemic barriers to citizen understanding, access and effectiveness in democratic decision-making.

You can download the 84-page document (320Kb, PDF).

Source: Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector eNewsletter Issue 6: 29 September 2006. To subscribe: send an email to: ocvs@msd.govt.nz with your name and postal address.