31st March 2022
This seminar will focus on public engagement in relation to parliamentary buildings and spaces. We’ll hear how the UK Parliament Restoration and Renewal Programme sought the public’s views as it plans for the restoration of the Palace of Westminster. We’ll also hear from Professor Sophia Psarra on the academic context and representatives from other parliaments on how they approach welcoming the public into their spaces. During the breakout session, participants will have the opportunity to discuss their own cases, share best practice, and learn from IPEN’s international member base.
| 14:00 | Welcome & Introductions |
| 14:05 | Engagement in action: the UK Parliament Restoration and Renewal Programme James Tringham, Head of Engagement, R&R Sponsor Body |
| 14:35 | Reflections from the National Congress of Brazil Alessandro Escudero, Brazilian Congress |
| 14:40 | Q&A |
| 14:50 | Parliamentary spaces and the public Sophia Psarra Professor of Architecture and Spatial Design, UCL |
| 15:00 | Breakout session Consider the following questions and identify up to five key conclusions from your discussions: 1. What other examples of public engagement are there on the subject of Parliamentary buildings, and what are the conditions that can either enable or hinder meaningful such engagement? 2. What else could be done about public engagement in relation to the R&R programme? Please consider “public engagement” as widely as you wish, from education activities, to visits, but also actual participation in the political process. |
| 15:20 | Summary & reflections |
| 15:30 | End |