International Journal of Appreciative Inquiry
AI Practitioner to be published in August 2019
Topic Participation:
Participation is at the heart of learning, development and change. It is based on the belief that when people take ownership and responsibility for themselves and the world around them, we build better futures by connecting different dreams and ideas. Participation is, implicitly or explicitly, part of any AI process, and beyond AI as well.
In this issue on Participation we would like to bring together a whole diversity of approaches, views and experiences on designing and facilitating participative processes in different contexts, as a way of creating an overview, and being inspired by what is already out there. As well the issue will be a reflection and analysis of what works and explore future questions and challenges for participation.
When we think about new ideas that are being experimented with, we think of stories such as:
- The company that had to let go of 20% of its people and did so in a beautiful bottom-up, participative process.
- The city experimenting with its citizens not only co-deciding policies but taking renewed responsibility for what is going on.
- A peace process that brings together parties who once fought and killed each other to build a new future.
The August 2019 AI Practitioner issue will explore the concept of participation from three perspectives / questions:
- Why are we talking about participation now and what is happening in the world at large that calls for more participation?
- What are inspiring practices that have worked in organisations and/or businesses as well as the public domain?
- What is the still-unknown territory for participation? Which intriguing questions or challenges ask for more practices or experiments on participation?
Call for Articles
We plan to publish three articles per question. In order to include the greatest diversity of practices, experiences and approaches we are looking for your contributions on one of the following topics or questions concerning participation:
- An article that takes a longer-term historical perspective on participation: what shapes has participation taken throughout the centuries, and in different parts of the world? What was it an answer to at different times?
- An article that reflects on an unfinished, or ‘failed’ initiative around participation: what can we learn from that? Despite everything else, what did work?
- An article that reflects on (direct) citizen participation (e.g. citizen budget, youth participation in climate change policies, …) in complex matters at regional or national policy making. What do good practices teach us on how participation of citizens will/can evolve in the future?
- An article on the part technology is or is not playing in participation. Which new opportunities does it bring?
Ways to Contribute:
We are looking for articles from several perspectives: experts to reflect on their practice, idealists who will pledge their case for participation, representatives of different schools of thoughts who deepen their communalities and differences, and beginners in the field who bring their bewilderment to the table.
Your contribution can be in any format: an article, essay, interview or picture-story. Creative contributions and formats are definitely welcomed. The final written submission will range between 500 and 2000 words. Art and graphics should be in high resolution and ready for publication. Poetry should be formatted for publication. Video links are also encouraged.
Submitting a Proposal/Draft:
Are you enthused by the thought of contributing to this issue? Is your brain already generating ideas and contributions?
Important Deadlines:
15 April: Proposal or Overview/Outline of Contribution
6 May: First Draft Due
3 June: Final Article Due
5 July: Contributors’ draft from managing editor of AIP for final comments from contributors
Special Edition Editors:
Arne Gillert (agillert@kessels-smit.com)
Pieterjan van Wijngaarden (pvanwijngaarden@kessels-smit.com)
Kris Snick (ksnick@kessels-smit.com)