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Researcher Tommi Laitio´s lecture on the role of groups in building better cities. Held at Svenska social- och kommunalhögskolan (University of Helsinki) course Political Influence of Groups 24/2/2012.
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group mattersResearcher Tommi Laitio
Demos Helsinki, www.demos.fiOrganisationernas politiska inflytande
Soc & Kom, University of Helsinki24/2/2012
“The role of a think tank is to valuate
the future.”Mokka & Neuvonen (2011)
think tanks
• a group of people who apply research • strive to influence decision making• independent of institutions• usually non-profit• driven by an ideology, belief or a
perception of human beings or society
three types of think tanks
1. Politically affiliated think tanks
Fabian Society (UK), E2 (FIN)
renew political ideology, support political decision making
Emphasises the importance of representative democracy and political parties
2. Thematic think tanks
Institute of Foreign Policy (FIN), World Watch Institute, OECD, EVA (FIN)
gather and value information and data, enhance understanding of a theme
Emphasises expert knowledge and insight, make research applicable
3. Ecosystems for new ideas, “think and do tanks”
Demos Helsinki (FIN), Young Foundation (UK)
experiment new solutions, establish new institutions, financing schemes
Emphasises competing ways of working and the need for new institutions
(Mokka & Neuvonen 2011)
Why think tanks are emerging?
• disparity between people´s desire and possibility for making a difference in politics
• rising freedom, education, consumerism (self-expression)
• technological development• western identity project
flickr/redcountess (cc)
think tanks in finland
1974: EVA
1961: Institute of
Foreign Policy
2003: government support for
party-affiliated
think tanks1967: Sitra
Demos HelsinkiMagma
OK Do
Laitos
Demos helsinki
• Wiki-democracy: politics where people together create solutions and not only select their leaders (demos)
• Future• Happiness and Meaningfulness• Neighbourhood-level solutions and good
cities• Green growth• 8 researchers• equal rights, equal pay, public value
democracy 2.0 and the role of groups
oil peak reached in 2006.
co2 emissions cut by 80 % by 2050 (from level in 1990).
finns have more free time and more education than ever.
in 2030, population grows mainly in big urban regions.
we need to rethink
Population change 2003–2030
country brand of finland:
finland has enormous potential to solve
wicked problems on a global scale.
freedom and democracy are active states.
freedom to / freedom from
“Political questions are far too serious
to be left to politicians.” (arendt)
society of competent and skillful groups
groups define what is considered normal
• Examples:
How we eat, live and dress?
How we behave in a student building?
How much energy we use compared to our neighbours?
groups support us when engaging in something new
• Examples:
North Karelia Project
Restaurant Day
groups improve our wellbeing: we feel useful, competent and needed
• Examples:
Time Banks
Volunteering
Elderly Care
Traditional ways of thinking groups
Residents of Helsinki
WomenMen
Children and young people
Working age
Retired
Residents of Suburbs
DowntownPeople
Rich
Middle Class
Poor
Straight
Gay
cities of competent groups
Dog owners
Dog owners Cross-
countryskiers
Cross-countryskiers
Dog owners
Residents of Paloheinä
Cross-countryskiers
Dog owners
Residents of Paloheinä
SOK co-opmembers
Cross-countryskiers
Dog owners
Residents of Paloheinä
SOK co-opmembers
Cyclists
Community of Geography
Community ofInterest
City AdministrationCity Council
Residents of Helsinki
list 5 communities you belong to.
identify five issues you could help
the city in.
discuss.
(Demos NOW) www.greaterhelsinkivision.fi
combining deliberative democracy and design thinking
identifyingcommunities
connecting communities
to wicked problems
prototyping
hoas lab – social and responsible student housing
Project of Demos Helsinki and Helsinki Region Student Housing Foundation Hoas
identifyingcommunities
connecting communities
to wicked problems
prototyping
- interviews- meetings
- observation- scenarios
- brainstorming- building
partnerships- selecting ideas
- testing in one building- trial and fail
- concept development
FillarikanavaCyclists and the city improving
cycling in Helsinki.
Vetoa ja VoimaaImproving the neighbourhood in a coalition of city officials,
politicians, NGOs, church and business.
finland now has 320 municipalities.the suggestion is to reduce the number to 70.
how could the collaboration between cities and people work in 70 municipalities?
theory of change
ClimateChallenge
Low-CarbonSociety
emission limits, price for carbon, subsidies,...
participation, social innovations, lifestyle changes,...
acceptance for new regulation
(INTER)NATIONAL
POLITICS
CITIES, PEER GROUPS, COMPANIES
Researcher Tommi LaitioDemos Helsinki
twitter: tommilaitiotommi.laitio (a) demos.fi
www.demos.fi