A Learning City Consultation Exercise in Dublin - A case Study

In the construction of a Learning City or Region it is wise to obtain the consent of wide a range of people as possible. In this way there will be a bottom-up input into the process. This entry concerns a consultation exercise which took place in Dublin in 2002. People and organisations were asked which of the aspects on the diagram attached concerned them most for the future. The exercise was delivered in many ways

ü advertisements in local and national newspapers, a Freephone Information Number, articles in newspapers, journals, newsletters and on websites, information on television, radio interviews and a video

ü Using the Dublin web-portal Www.dublin.ie - encouraging people to provide feedback via the online feedback form.

ü A Consultation brochure sent to over 70,000 households, businesses, schools, libraries, organizations and agencies around the City.

ü A Consultation pack including a Video presentation for use at focus group meetings for specific interest groups such as the City Council, FÁS, Health Boards, Third Level Institutions (students), Ethnic Minority Groups, Economic Focus Groups etc.

ü Civic fora - involving city councillors, public servants, community organizations, local business and residents invited randomly from the electoral register from within each of the areas of the City.

ü Consultation seminars on city integration, participation and social inclusion for voluntary groups, businesses, statutory organizations and citizens’ panels

ü A concentration on the participation of schools and youth – including a Video highlighting the key issues distributed along with copies of brochures to secondary schools in Dublin

In all more than 50% of people and organisations in the city were contacted.