| Strong links to civic involvement | | Print | |
| Hetty Rooth | 08.01.2010 | National Affairs - News items [en] [sw] | ||||||
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The Swedish government is now hoping for an increased dialogue with civil society. One new proposal is to introduce special “mentors for engagement”, selected individuals to work on getting more people interested in participating in community activities.
“It is good that the government wants to increase dialogue with civil society. But for the collaboration and dialogue to work in practice it is important to find a way of working that makes it possible for the players in civil society to participate on equal terms”, says Maicen Ekman, Secretary General of the Swedish Adult Education Association (SAEA). The idea of mentors for engagement is primarily targeted at people living in areas with a low level of organisation in community activities, particularly young people and women. The study associations can help with both education and skills where these groups are concerned. “It may be a matter of arranging meetings in the evening or giving some form of financial reward to people from non-profit organisations who give up their free time to take part in consultations”, says Maicen Ekman. Dialogue For example, the Ibn Rushd study association has successfully developed forms of dialogue through the Parliament of the Suburbs, Förorternas riksdag (Forix) project. This project is trying to increase the contacts between young people living in the suburbs and the rest of society – not least the established political parties and interest organisations. The Citizens’ Adult Education Association, Studieförbundet Medborgarskolan, is involved in another project which has been running for several years using the concept of “Language mentors” (Medspråkare). The project involves people living in Sweden meeting newly arrived immigrants to give them support and help them practice the Swedish language. “It is a fact that a good knowledge of Swedish makes it easier to get on to the employment market.” Footnote: The Government bill, A policy for civil society (2009/10:55) was presented to the Swedish Parliament on 9th December. Footnote: The Government bill, A policy for civil society (2009/10:55) was presented to the Swedish Parliament on 9th December 2009. |
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