DO you have a brilliant or simple idea to encourage people to get more engaged with Ireland’s democratic system?
If so, then An Coimisiun Toghchain, Ireland’s independent electoral commission, wants to hear from you.
An Coimisiun Toghchain wants to hear ideas from the public[/caption]
Voting decides who is in positions of power in government[/caption]
Art O’Leary stresses how it is vitally important to get people engaged with our democratic processes[/caption]
The commission has launched a public consultation to shape how people receive education and information on Ireland’s electoral and democratic processes.
The public can make submissions through the commission’s website (electoralcommission.ie/consultation) or by post.
Writing in The Irish Sun today, Art O’Leary Chief Executive of An Coimisiun Toghchain, stresses how it is vitally important to get people engaged with our democratic processes.
HELP SOLVE A PROBLEM
I AM sure on countless occasions at the dinner table or in a coffee shop, or in a bar, you have opened a conversation with, “I’ll tell you what they should do…”, when discussing the problems in our world.
Here at the Electoral Commission we have a problem I hope you can help us with.
Many people in this country feel that politics has nothing to do with them, that their voice isn’t important and that voting is something that other people do.
Well, we want you to tell us how to change their minds.
Democracy is in difficulty all over the world. There is evidence of a general fall in voter engagement, and evidence of similar trends here in Ireland.
The most recent Dáil election marked a new low with a turnout of under 60 per cent. Ireland’s Independent Electoral Commission was set up just two years ago and we are building a new approach in how people of all ages and backgrounds learn about the importance of voting and our democratic processes.
Our new Education and Public Engagement Strategy for Ireland will have impact for many years ahead and help ensure that our democracy doesn’t just stumble over the line. Would we not prefer that voting in Ireland is seen as vibrant and world leading?
So we want to hear from you.
Is it the case that you used to vote and don’t anymore?
Do you have ideas as to how we can help people become more engaged with our democratic system? Don’t keep it to yourself.
Our consultation is open now at electoralcommission.ie/consultation and you can fill in the quick form, send us a video or audio message via our website.
We want to hear from Individuals, groups, organisations, people in classrooms, younger, older, everyone.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
In our elections everyone’s voice is equal. That is the beauty of democracy, every vote is equal. If people don’t get involved, because they don’t think they are eligible to vote, don’t know how to vote, or maybe can’t decide who to vote for, that weakens our democracy.
So it’s vital that everyone understands about how important your vote is.
Our goals in doing this work are simple:
- All those eligible to vote should be on the electoral register.
- People should understand how to vote and how their vote works.
- Everyone on the register should vote at all electoral events.
While what we learn in school or college is an important element of this kind of education and engagement, we need to go much deeper.
We need to think about how we provide access to education and information for people who’ve maybe left school, who are training, working or unemployed, who are raising kids, caring for relatives, who are new to Ireland, part of communities where voting hasn’t been thought important, and to people who experience barriers to being able to vote.
VITAL WORK UNDER WAY
Organisations such as Dublin’s Adult Learning Centre, are already doing brilliant work to get people involved, so vital work is under way.
We want people from all walks of life in Ireland to use their voice and vote.
We have no doubt that this will be one of the most challenging and difficult issues facing An Coimisiún Toghcháin, but we are determined to reach out to disengaged groups and communities and to make a real difference in their lives.
There is no quick fix but this is the challenge we have set ourselves and we need your help.
The consultation to create Ireland’s Education and Public Engagement Strategy is open until March 24 and can be accessed at electoralcommission.ie/consultation or by post to An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2.
The consultation to create Ireland’s Education and Public Engagement Strategy is open until March 24[/caption]
