Well-Being Statements, Policies and Projects Catalysing Collective Intelligence and Collective Action

A presentation for the Public Participation Network

Dr. Michael Hogan, NUI, GalwayProfessor Benjamin Broome, Arizona State University

          

             

          

           

What should we measure? Indicators, collective decisions, and a

broader statement of Wellbeing.

The indicators a society chooses to report to itself about itself are surprisingly powerful. They reflect the collective values and inform collective decisions. A nation that keeps a watchful eye on its salmon runs or the safety of its streets makes different decisions than does a nation that is only paying attention to its GNP.

Donella Meadows

Around the world, we see a move beyond GDP as the key measure of societal wellbeing.

However, our recent analysis suggest that citizen engagement is less often a feature of these measurement and policy development projects

“….it is important to understand the broad aspirations Australians hold for their country.To this end, the consultation has focused on identifying those aspirations Australians hold fornational progress in the four broad areas (i.e. society, economy, environment and governance)”.

Aspirations and measurement goals– the power of citizen consultations -

Ultimately, this amounts to a broad model of wellbeing for Australia – a model that will shape national and local policy and projects on the ground.

Philosophical FoundationsFreedom, empowerment, democracy and wellbeing

The old republican view of freedom emphasises freedom as non-domination.

The role of the state is to provide security and infrastructure, and the role of citizens is to share equally in controlling the state.

This requires nonelectoral institutions, or citizen assemblies, of a regulatory and contestatory kind that guard against majoritarian oppression of minorities, the exploitation of public office for the advantage of incumbents, and the usurpation of state power for purposes of advancing the special interests of the rich and powerful.

An Empirical Reality-- Empowerment, democracy and wellbeing --

• Measures of freedom to control your life explain as much of the variance in wellbeing across countries as is explained by GDP per head.

• Cross-national analyses similarly suggest that areas and cities with greater decentralisation, and particularly fiscal decentralisation, are associated with significantly higher life satisfaction.

Well-being Matters:A Social Report for Ireland

The National Economic and Social Council (2009)

This definition of wellbeing implies engaging with citizens directly to identify values and goals

“…a person’s well-being relates to their physical, social and mental state. It requires that basic needs are met, that people have a sense of purpose, that they feel able to achieve important goals, to participate in society and to live the lives they value and have reason to value.”

Thinking about Well-Being in IrelandWell-Being in Ireland Conference

June 8, 2012, NUI, Galway

Objectives

• Foster a dialogue on barriers to well-being in Ireland and develop a systems model describing how barriers to well-being in Ireland are related

• Use Collective Intelligence methods to agree a set of high-impact, feasible options to overcome barriers to well-being in Ireland.

John N. Warfield (1925-2009)

Relevant Books• 1976. Societal Systems: Planning, Policy, and Complexity. New York: Wiley Interscience. • 1990. A Science of Generic Design: Managing Complexity through Systems Design. Ames, IA: Iowa

State University Press 1994. • 1994. A Handbook of Interactive Management. With Roxana Cárdenas, Ames, IA: Iowa State

University Press 1994. • 2002. Understanding Complexity: Thought and Behavior. AJAR Publishing Company, Palm Harbor, FL. • 2003. The Mathematics of Structure. AJAR Publishing Company, Palm Harbor, FL. • 2006. An introduction to systems science. Singapore: World Scientific.

Warfield, past president of the society for systems science, developed Interactive Management

Step 1: Idea Generation in response to a trigger question (e.g., what are barriers to well-being in Ireland?)

Steps in the Interactive Management process

Step 2: Recording , posting, clarifying and categorising ideas on display walls

(4) Structuring the interdependence between problems in the problem field

From voting, to matrix, to structure

Figure C-1 shows a Boolean matrix (i.e., a matrix, all of whose entries are either 0 or 1). Thematrix rows and columns are identically indexed, the index numbers ranging from 1 to 15. Such amatrix might represent the information provided to the computer by a group of participants, inwhich e.g., 15 problems are interrelated (or possibly 15 options, or 15 events, etc.). The entries inthe matrix could represent a mix of the answers to questions posed to the participants and theanswers inferred by the computer (using a property of relationships known as transitivity).

Well-Being in Ireland ConferenceJune 8, 2012, NUI, Galway

Overcoming Barriers to Well-Being in Ireland: Workshop Report Lack of

trust/dissatisfaction with the system, government, and decision-makers in general (I)

A national sense of gloom due to emphasis on austerity (I)

Feelings of helplessness in the face of current global economic/ environmental conditions (B)

Stigma associated with mental health difficulties such as depression, anxiety and stress (E)

Corrosion of work-life balance, with people working longer/harder and taking the stresses of work home with them (E)

Lack of an effort to galvanise collective action around the issue of promoting well-being (F)Lack of understanding as

regards the nature of well-being and how to measurement it (H)

Maladaptive coping mechanisms (e.g. avoidance of problems or use of alcohol or drugs to deal with problems) (B)

Limited number of government initiatives designed to promote social capital (e.g., social cohesion and trust) (A)

Limited understanding of the factors that influence and increase well-being (H)

Lack of space for dialogue on holistic views of well-being (G)

Lack of funding for community well-being initiatives (D)

No national measurement of well-being (A)

Absence of holistic approaches to health-care (E)

Lack of education about the importance of well-being in schools and universities (G)

No charismatic champion or leader to advance the well-being of the nation (F)

(5) Generate options as a response to the structural problems

Multiple actors work in multiple directions

Continue the dialogue and transform the system

Read Conference Report Here

Wellbeing : Designing Measures and Implementing Policies, June 2013

Trigger question for Design Conference: In the context of developing a new national wellbeing

index for Ireland, what are the strategic objectives that should guide our efforts to enhance the wellbeing of the people of Ireland over the coming decade?

Top Ranked Strategic Objectives across Ten Wellbeing domains

Read Full Conference Report Here

How Strategic Objectives are seen by conference participants to be related in an ‘enhancement structure’

The Public Participation Network• The work of the Health and Wellbeing Cluster

on Collective Intelligence and Wellbeing featured in Government Report on Citizen Engagement with Local Government.

Think global, act localThe Galway Healthy Cities Project

Overcoming Barriers to Wellbeing in Galway CityGalway Healthy Cities 2014

• A total 149 barriers to wellbeing were organised into 12 categories

• A total of 254 options to overcome barriers to wellbeing

• Synergist projects tacking leadership, community engagement, and awareness barriers

• Systems logic informing project design – empowering stakeholders

Objectives for Wellbeing in Galway

A. InclusivenessB. Business and EmploymentC. CommunityD. Physical and Mental HealthE. GovernanceF. PerspectiveG. EnvironmentH. Lifespan wellbeingI. EducationJ. Sustainability

This set was generated by members of the Galway City Community Network in the weeks preceding this event on June 6th 2015.

Members responded to the following trigger question:In the context of promoting wellbeing for this and future generations in Galway City, what objectives should guide our work over the coming decade?

Categorisation was carried out by the facilitation team

A. Inclusiveness• To eradicate racism and bigotry in relation to minority groups across the city.• To ensure that wellbeing is easily attainable for every person in Galway• To promote equality for all minority groups across the city.• To foster understanding between people of different cultures.• To ensure inclusion of all voices with additional opportunities provided to those less active

politically and who, through disability or circumstances are experiencing social exclusion.• To promote community work and human rights based approaches as a means to address

inequality.• To positively promote and protect the rich culture and heritage of Galway whilst also

understanding that new cultures will become part of this heritage.• To end discrimination and reduce inequalities in relation to gender, race, age, sexuality,

national status, ability, membership of the travelling community, etc. • To recognise that Travellers are an ethnic minority and taking that step towards equality.• To foster active inclusion of all to ensure diversity is valued.• To improve the possibility that every individual is part of a social circle.• To promote a culture based in human rights and the common good. • To reduce the growing gap between social inequality and social equality.

B. Business and Employment• To encourage businesses to work together to improve the wellbeing of people in their

communities.• To promote the importance of life -work balance.• To encourage businesses to recognize their responsibility to their employees, community, and

customers, not just their shareholders.• To encourage businesses to adopt a broader perspective on success that includes not only

profit but also wellbeing.• To develop ethical frameworks in business to promote wellbeing• To promote a sense of social responsibility in businesses.• To provide employees in Ireland with rewarding and fulfilling employment opportunities and

conditions.• To enhance the opportunity for people to get employment.• To promote social inclusion, including the provision of full employment through well-paying

meaningful jobs.• To ensure that our wellbeing statement takes into account the importance of steady

employment.

C. Community• To create a range of community facilities and forums within which people can meet, discuss, exercise democracy, and

promote a growing sense of community and solidarity.• To foster good community relations and civic pride and civic engagement.• To foster relationships of mutuality and respect between all people.• To work together for better local results.• To have a real say in what happens in the areas in which we live.• To empower all members of society to engage with their community.• To make Galway a safer place to live• To be the best community within which to raise children.

To realise genuine substantive equality for the Traveller community.• To break the concept that academic knowledge outweighs life experiences - both should be equally respected.• To adopt opportunities for active collective outdoor participation to include tai chi, cycling trails, walking, etc.• To support the development of confidence by using children and adults in organization of community guidance, parks,

walkways.• To ensure our communities - lay and professionals alike - gain awareness of domestic violence and / or any perpetrator of

violence.To embrace and accept all ethnic groups across the city.

• To support people in the community to realise their aspirations and dreams.• To reduce isolation in our communities. • To realise a city of equals. • To promote awareness of well-being within our communities. • To realise a liveable city where cars are managed to benefit society, not a society managed to benefit cars.

D. Physical and Mental Health• To ensure greater accountability and transparency in decision making processes.• To foster meaningful collaboration between the different sectors working at a local level.• To ensure that wellbeing is on the agenda at local government.• To plan for innovative and integrated planning.• To support other health and wellbeing plans i.e. Galway City Walking & Cycling Strategy.• To improve all public organisations and services' knowledge and understanding of situations, experience and identity of

minority groups, especially Travelers.• To improve fundamental infrastructure / network with regard to victims of violence, in particular domestic violence.• To break down the barriers faced in accessing services by minority groups• To celebrate diversity and identity through vibrant cultural programming that has a wide reach.• To provide equality training for public servants to ensure fair treatment of minority groups.• To reduce poverty in our communities.• To break the cycle of intergenerational effects of poverty.• To develop an infrastructure and network that promotes awareness about the subtle indicators of potential violent

behaviour.• To plan for safer environments - less trip hazards, better accessibility for people with disabilities.• To ensure that the health and wellbeing of Galwegians is a core objective of Galway City and County Councils.• To ensure (enshrine) participation and public dialogue and devote real energy to realising this. • To reimagine transport policy, adopting the well-established principle of the Hierarchy of Measures, the European Charter of

Pedestrian Rights and the Road Danger Reduction Charter. • To ensure infrastructure for cyclists is to the highest European standards, with greenways, indoor bicycle parking, bicycle

lockers, etc.

E. Governance• To ensure greater accountability and transparency in decision making processes.• To foster meaningful collaboration between the different sectors working at a local level.• To ensure that wellbeing is on the agenda at local government.• To plan for innovative and integrated planning.• To support other health and wellbeing plans i.e. Galway City Walking & Cycling Strategy.• To improve all public organisations and services' knowledge and understanding of situations, experience and identity of

minority groups, especially Travelers.• To improve fundamental infrastructure / network with regard to victims of violence, in particular domestic violence.• To break down the barriers faced in accessing services by minority groups• To celebrate diversity and identity through vibrant cultural programming that has a wide reach.• To provide equality training for public servants to ensure fair treatment of minority groups.• To reduce poverty in our communities.• To break the cycle of intergenerational effects of poverty.• To develop an infrastructure and network that promotes awareness about the subtle indicators of potential violent

behaviour.• To plan for safer environments - less trip hazards, better accessibility for people with disabilities.• To ensure that the health and wellbeing of Galwegians is a core objective of Galway City and County Councils.• To ensure (enshrine) participation and public dialogue and devote real energy to realising this. • To reimagine transport policy, adopting the well-established principle of the Hierarchy of Measures, the European Charter of

Pedestrian Rights and the Road Danger Reduction Charter. • To ensure infrastructure for cyclists is to the highest European standards, with greenways, indoor bicycle parking, bicycle

lockers, etc.

F. Perspective• To support peoples' autonomy, competence, mastery and purpose in life.• To support individual talents & skills thereby fostering a positive sense of self-worth.• To support connection to self, family, community, the city and county, Ireland and beyond.• To nurture our instinct to be competitive whilst being mindful that competiveness promotes

both positive and negative feelings.• To realise the potential for self-development that comes from working collectively as part of a

community.• To educate future generations on our can-do attitude against the odds in these times of

austerity• To foster the intention of living mindfully.• To understand that life is very precious and is to be enjoyed to the full.• To encourage acceptance, fostering peace of mind and optimism about the future through

humour and community spirit.• To promote confidence to help realise one's potential, especially in relation to contribution to

society.• To realise and embrace the beauty around us. • To nurture the intangible, the imaginal, the non-monetary, the spiritual

G. Environment• To maximise the enjoyment of the environment that we live in.• To reduce or eliminate harmful chemicals from our county water works.• To enhance our green spaces through community gardens and roof top city garden projects.• To embrace the natural stunning Irish landscape.• To promote the beauty of Galway through a thoughtful, joyful approach to its future

development that enhances the already existing natural beauty.• To reduce waste.• To reduce our carbon footprint• To reduce the waste of our natural resources and disrespectful acts that sully the

environment.• To enhance public spaces that actively appear more welcoming and inviting to residents and

visitors alike, be they two-legged, four legged or of the winged and bush tailed variety.• To educate everybody in responsibility for the wellbeing of our environment.• To have engineers and others employed in urban maintenance to be able to have a holistic

worldview.• To reduce the unnecessary use of cars, technology and machinery that are damaging to the

environment. • To transform Galway City into a city that is safe to cycle/walk around in.

H. Lifespan wellbeing• To promote the concept of cradle to grave participation in our communities; in environments

from early learning to nursing home care. • To ensure that Galway wellbeing has clearly identified a pathway for young people.• To ensure by engaging with community supports that the risk of self-neglect and isolation will

be reduced within our communities.• To promote independence and increase self-confidence. • To reduce isolation and loneliness across the lifespan.• To enhance life so people can stay independent for longer in their own homes. • To ensure that child welfare policies bring about the greatest wellbeing for the children of

Galway city.• To encourage everyone to remain physically & mentally active throughout their life.• To realise that just because someone may be older or have a disability doesn’t mean their

voices can’t be heard.• To foster coping abilities in young people with regard to success and the future

I. Education• To foster an accepting and actively inclusive educational environment for all ethnic and

minority groups across the city.• To foster emotional intelligence, empathy and nonviolent communication within schools

across the city.• To promote a positive view of minority groups through training and education.• To ensure a more inclusive school environment for minority groups by encouraging more

schools to take on the Yellow Flag programme.• To improve educational opportunities.• To foster talent: encourage it to grow, sustain itself and contribute to the fabric of Galway.• To enhance Traveller's experience in schools by ensuring teachers go through regular equality

training and refreshers.• To challenge and change power differences between genders, races, sexual orientations and

the differently able bodied. • To foster the educational qualities and levels we already have.

J. Sustainability• To ensure future planning and development is sustainable.• To enhance appreciation of Ireland's uniqueness in order to sustain its rich linguistic, artistic

and cultural heritage.• To improve and develop recycling initiatives across the city.• To improve and develop transport systems across the city.• To enhance the City's natural environment, including the promotion and preservation of

biodiversity.• To participate in exercising our global responsibility to the preservation of the earth.• To foster the concept of conservation of our wonderful natural habitat and landscape for

others to enjoy when we are long forgotten.• To promote sustainable lifestyles by reintroducing skills now lost to our society that enhance

self-sufficiency.• To ensure that we recognize the importance of diverse and sustainable commerce.• To involve those with life-experience who have greater knowledge of nature in order to carry

on our traditions. • To foster a change in approach from occupation to inhabitation

Structure of Today’s Session:

• Five working groups – you will find your assigned group number on your name badge

• Each group will have a facilitation team from NUI – follow your facilitator to your assigned room

• Results of your work today will be collected and recorded by our NUI team for use in producing a wellbeing statement for the PPN

Tasks for each working group:

• Review objectives across the 10 categories• Select most important objective in each

category• Explore connections among top objectives,

examining ways in which objectives support one another

Collective Intelligence:

• Requires a variety of voices and perspectives• Guided by curiosity and inquisitiveness• Centers on listening, reflecting, learning• Focus is on what is good for the whole

Next:

• Group Photo• Coffee Break• Follow your facilitator to your assigned room