Meaningful participation as resistance

The collective is a feminist, anti-racist and inclusive consultancy network which has been working with partners in Scotland, across the UK, and beyond on a number of equality and human-rights focused projects. Much of this work has included ethical participation methods which centre the voices of those most marginalised by unequal systems. Whilst many governments and public institutions are engaging in so-called “lived experience” participation methods, these are often transactional and leave the systemic issues untouched.

In this current increasingly tough environment where efforts on inclusion and equality are under threat, delivering purposeful, ethical, and meaningful lived experience participation is crucial and in itself an act of resistance.

Join us in this session to discuss how we can all contribute to delivering lived experience work in a way that shares power and resists the co-opting of these important tools by harmful systems.

There are many examples of better practice across communities, we will share some from our work, with honest reflection on how we would also seek to learn and improve.

What the session will cover:

• Discussing how being trauma informed in participation requires systems change thinking

• Discussing how participation and accountability must go hand in hand

• Sharing how meaningful participation can be used as a political tool and build the power of collective voices.