This practical toolkit has been developed in the recognition that, although the current trend in developing partnerships is positive, many discover difficulties in working effectively. Using the experience of the wide variety of partnerships that exist in Leeds, the author highlights the potential for duplication of effort and dilution of resources and expertise as partnerships continue to emerge.CONTENT
Described as a toolkit, this document provides a brief overview of good practice in partnership working and includes a tool for assessing the effectiveness of partnership groups. Although emerging through the experience of a primary care trust, this document targets all sector organisations involved in the development of partnerships. It can be used for developing partnerships at organisation, community and district levels.
More than 250 local councils are already geared up to take part in Local Democracy Week 2003, which begins on October 13th. This year the focus is on young people, under the heading ‘Listening To Tomorrow’s Voters Today’ and the Local Government Association says it is on target to involve at least 300 councils in events and activities during the week.The events are designed to promote the role of councils in the community and to give people a better understanding of local government. The idea is to ensure that local people feel they have a stake in the democratic process and a real say about the services provided by their local authorities. The LGA says that with the fall in interest in local and national politics and the decline in turnout for elections, it is focusing on the potential young people have to shape the future of society and help redress this trend in the long term.
New research shows that the Internet is opening up politics to young people in Britain and it could help to engage more of them with the political process, according to a study by a team at the University of Salford, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council through its Democracy and Participation Programme.The research is the first major study into how UK political organisations use the Internet to improve political participation. Its findings will be presented at an ESRC conference on public participation to be held in London today.
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