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Citizens joining the discussion

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Stefano Ciri

Foligno is a city of 60,000 inhabitants in the Umbria region of Italy. Several civic groups have formed in Foligno to encourage citizen participation and discussion. These include Foligno 2030, which targets people aged 15-45; Foligno in Comune, a left-wing political group; and Plethos, a think tank for people aged 16-25. The groups try to form new ideas through open debate and discussion rather than consensus, welcome diverse viewpoints, and empower citizens to participate actively in public spaces. They focus on discussing immediate community needs and problems. Plethos specifically aims to educate young people in political discussion. However, the groups could improve by having more female

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Citizens joining the discussion Encounters and participation in a 60 000 inhabitants city young greens southtyrol, March 13th 2019
1. A self-convened community 2. Foligno 2030 3. Foligno in comune 4. Plethos
Foligno . 3rd city in region Umbria . Industrial center since the 60s, recent cultural and turistical switch . Tourists go there for climbing and hiking, historical manifestation Quintana, the cultural manifestations held during the year.
1. A self-convened community . ANPI, Foligno in Comune (Sinistra Italiana, Rifondazione Comunista), Rete degli studenti medi . Professors take part in the debate . Money is collected to pay for the meeting room
2. Foligno 2030 . Targetting people aged 15-45 . Coordination group: around 20 people aged 25-30, most of which studied or worked outside the region . Systematically driven civic laboratory
2. Foligno 2030
3. Foligno in comune . Resulted from the merging of Sinistra Italiana, Rifondazione Comunista, Art.1- MDP and Potere al Popolo! . Humanist, proud left-wing community
3. Plethos . Think tank, components aged 22-25, now 16-25 . Confronting with people as young as 14, during information days organized in high schools
What can we learn from Foligno? 1. Preference for discussion Rather than gathering consensus around a single idea, the groups try to formulate new ideas through confrontation 2. Pursuit of difference The groups welcome strangers not to grow in number, but to acquire new critical standpoints 3. Citizens’ empowerment The groups use technical means, encounter, provocation and questions to help citizens to participate actively 4. Use of public space Open meetings are considered useful for everyone and organized in spaces which are everyone’s 5. Doing what matters Participants to the gatherings talk about their immediate needs, problems and aspirations 6. Young people education Plethos educates to discussion people who wouldn’t otherwise be taught how to express and discuss their political ideas.
What can Foligno learn from us? 1. Female representation and leadership All the groups seem to loose the occasion of being female-led 2.Ecological transition Not having set energy, economical and cultural transition towards sustainability as an objective, the groups often find themselves contemplating a lack of possibilities beside the redistribution of the (shrinking) possibilities offered by contemporary economy.

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Citizens joining the discussion

  • 1. Citizens joining the discussion Encounters and participation in a 60 000 inhabitants city young greens southtyrol, March 13th 2019
  • 2. 1. A self-convened community 2. Foligno 2030 3. Foligno in comune 4. Plethos
  • 3. Foligno . 3rd city in region Umbria . Industrial center since the 60s, recent cultural and turistical switch . Tourists go there for climbing and hiking, historical manifestation Quintana, the cultural manifestations held during the year.
  • 4. 1. A self-convened community . ANPI, Foligno in Comune (Sinistra Italiana, Rifondazione Comunista), Rete degli studenti medi . Professors take part in the debate . Money is collected to pay for the meeting room
  • 5. 2. Foligno 2030 . Targetting people aged 15-45 . Coordination group: around 20 people aged 25-30, most of which studied or worked outside the region . Systematically driven civic laboratory
  • 7. 3. Foligno in comune . Resulted from the merging of Sinistra Italiana, Rifondazione Comunista, Art.1- MDP and Potere al Popolo! . Humanist, proud left-wing community
  • 8. 3. Plethos . Think tank, components aged 22-25, now 16-25 . Confronting with people as young as 14, during information days organized in high schools
  • 9. What can we learn from Foligno? 1. Preference for discussion Rather than gathering consensus around a single idea, the groups try to formulate new ideas through confrontation 2. Pursuit of difference The groups welcome strangers not to grow in number, but to acquire new critical standpoints 3. Citizens’ empowerment The groups use technical means, encounter, provocation and questions to help citizens to participate actively 4. Use of public space Open meetings are considered useful for everyone and organized in spaces which are everyone’s 5. Doing what matters Participants to the gatherings talk about their immediate needs, problems and aspirations 6. Young people education Plethos educates to discussion people who wouldn’t otherwise be taught how to express and discuss their political ideas.
  • 10. What can Foligno learn from us? 1. Female representation and leadership All the groups seem to loose the occasion of being female-led 2.Ecological transition Not having set energy, economical and cultural transition towards sustainability as an objective, the groups often find themselves contemplating a lack of possibilities beside the redistribution of the (shrinking) possibilities offered by contemporary economy.