Promoting the ‘Take Part’ Approach

Abstract

This chapter explores the ways in which the ‘Take Part’ approach has been contributing to the promotion of active citizenship and community engagement. The approach was developed through a series of government initiatives under the Together We Can programme, and drew upon the contributions of Paulo Freire, Orlando Fals-Borda, and other international pioneers of learning for social transformation, starting from people’s own experiences and interests, and critically reflecting upon these as the basis for developing strategies for change. The authors look at how the approach has been promoted and applied in the UK, US, and Columbia, to empower individual citizens and their communities to acquire the confidence and competence to set out their concerns, whilst encouraging the relevant structures of governance to learn to listen and respond more effectively, to build a more active and engaged civil society and a more responsive and effective state that can deliver needed public services.