Adapting large group methods to civic forums: a way to improve citizenship and democracy

Cardoso de Sousa, Fernando; Monteiro, Ileana Pardal; Gaspar, Maria Filomena; Castelão, Paula

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/10272

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Authors

Cardoso de Sousa, Fernando

Monteiro, Ileana Pardal

Gaspar, Maria Filomena

Castelão, Paula

Abstract(s)

This article aims to assess the effectiveness of a four-step large-group method, by means of a project commitment questionnaire. Using this method, nine civic foruns were planned and executed in order to develop the participation of civil society in democracy. A toral of three hundred and eighteen civil society representatives produced action plans for the celebration of the anniversary of the 25 April 1974 (Portuguese Revolution), as well as for local development. The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of the method in producing action plans in little time, and an increase in commitment to projects as a result of the sessions; however, it did not reveal itself a successful predictor of projects' execution. The foruns allowed us to improve the large-group methods, which may be used as a tool to help improve civil participation in decision making and regional development.

Keywords

Civil society Democracy Large-group methods Portuguese revolution Project commitment

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/10272

Citation

Sousa, F., Monteiro, I., Gaspar, M. & Castelão, P. (2016). Adapting large group methods to civic forums: a way to improve citizenship and democracy. The International Journal of Organizational Innovation, 9, (2), 6-23