24 April 2024
Speakers: Professor Cristina Leston-Bandeira (School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds and Chair of IPEN); Dr Blagovesta Tacheva (School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds)
Chair: Matt Ringer, Director of Participation, UK House of Commons
This IPEN seminar will discuss barriers that people from seldom heard groups (e.g. low socio-economic backgrounds, ethnic minorities) face to engage with parliament and the type of approaches that parliaments may develop to enhance engagement from these groups.
It will draw on research undertaken in the UK which included focus groups with people from seldom heard groups and interviews with community organisations representatives, as well as parliamentary officials.
Cristina Leston-Bandeira and Blagovesta Tacheva will show the importance of thinking about participation through a holistic approach which values the scaffolding of participatory activities with appropriate education and information resources.
This online seminar is open to all members of the International Parliament Engagement Network.