Bridget Harris , Leadership Consultant, August 2009 representation equality diversity YWALM and Interaction

politicians board members doctors What is representation? ... people making decisions on our behalf journalists campaigners parents

politicians

board members

doctors

journalists

campaigners

parents

Different decision makers... doctors parents trustees campaigners trustee descriptive politicians journalists mandate

doctors

parents

trustees

campaigners

politicians

journalists

Competence, confidence Knowledge, education Management skills competence versus direct experience Visionary? Communicator? Fixer? representatives same experiences shared interests same constraints Gender? Race? Age?

three models trustee: because I'm better than you mandate: because you've told me what to do descriptive: because I'm like you

trustee: because I'm better than you

mandate: because you've told me what to do

descriptive: because I'm like you

does representation work? "the rights and interests of every (or any) person are only secure from being disregarded when the person interested is himself able, and habitually disposed, to stand up for them " (John Stuart Mill)

a test for good representation... ...are you going to be personally affected by the decision you are making on behalf of others?

How does descriptive representation work? you are always directly involved direct democracy (5th Century BC Athens) referenda local groups participatory budgeting community empowerment

direct democracy (5th Century BC Athens)

referenda

local groups

participatory budgeting

community empowerment

How does descriptive representation work? you are randomly selected juries opinion polls focus groups surveys

juries

opinion polls

focus groups

surveys

How does descriptive representation work? you elect individual or different groups electoral system (pr) quotas electoral boundaries devolution

electoral system (pr)

quotas

electoral boundaries

devolution

Does descriptive representation make a difference? reactions of the represented policy outcomes legitimacy and symbolism

reactions of the represented

policy outcomes

legitimacy and symbolism

party political, ideologies, selection systems individual circumstances, opportunities, status, confidence barriers to entry the system, institutions, processes

party political, ideologies, selection systems

individual circumstances, opportunities, status, confidence

the system, institutions, processes

Examples from UK overcoming barriers: systemic

overcoming barriers: party politics

overcoming barriers: individuals www.beacouncillor.org.uk

Question: Do men need to be more like women, or women need to be more like men in order to achieve equality? A question of equality..?

Bridget Harris , Leadership Consultant, August 2009 questions? [email_address]