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The Idea is to stimulate citizen participation in politics by promoting educational actions

A new politics is possible. Through more active citizen participation in politics it is possible to change the community and contribute to the country’s development. This was one of the conclusions arrived at during the First Conference of the Political Participation Network held November 30-December 1, at Cietep in Curitiba. The event was promoted by the Federation of Industries of Paraná, with the support of the Development Promotion Institute (IDP).

More than 600 delegates from several regions of the state defined 21 priorities for improvement in their communities, beginning in 2010. The goal is to enhance voters’ qualification and consequently improve the country’s political representation. “Our role is to foresee an organizational model capable of providing support to citizens’ political action,” affirmed the president of the Federation of Industries of the State of Paraná (Fiep), Rodrigo da Rocha Loures. “In this conference we had representatives from all sectors of society, who came to debate issues of common interest, looking for wellbeing and a governmental socio-political context capable of providing citizens with what they need to enjoy better quality of life, public safety, basic educational needs, health care, and infrastructure,” he added.  

The 21 priorities identified at the conference were chosen during seven workshops revolving around themes like network formation and activation; political protagonism; public management; political education; the 2010 elections; communication; and political influence. “To participate actively in the electoral process means to impact the country’s future. The situation of Brazil, Paraná and adjacent municipalities is up to us. Through vote we exercise citizenship,” said Ivete Nobile, secretary of the Neighborhood Association Movement of Londrina (Mamol), a participant in the “2010 Elections” workshop. 

Among the issues described as priorities by the participants during this workshop are: getting to know the political and personal profile of candidates; raising people’s awareness on the power of the individual vote; stimulating youth participation; and fostering the rotation of politicians in office.

 “It is no use waiting for the elections to be over to start discussing politics. The time is now. We must move from talk to action,” asserted the commander-general of the Volunteer Firefighters’ Brigade of Londrina, Daniel Martins. He believes that voters still lack awareness about the importance of their role. “In the past we were not empowered by the vote. It was restricted to just a few people. Now we have the opportunity to change our communities by electing who is going to govern us.”   

Acting as a Network

Involving community and school in strengthening social networks was the main result from the workshop called “Network formation and activation.” Keizo Assaida, a consultant on innovative businesses from Curitiba emphasized that working as a network can make all the difference in the execution of a project. “As individuals we are nothing. But when we get organized and work as a network our power to influence increases,” he said.