Let me give you some context. I am a woman in my late twenties, highly educated, curious and interested in what is happening in the world, spend most of the day behind my computer/tablet/phone, am active on all kinds of social media and am not a member of a party. If you want to reach me, you should not do it on the street with soapboxes, roses or tomatoes; I will walk around the block for that. Nor by stapling a flyer to my bike. Or by expecting me to come to a community centre to debate on my own. A little less shouting please, but online, a little fun/attractive/exciting. And a little fast too, please.
Participate
“Join us!” How?! “By giving us money, ordering our materials, helping us as a volunteer or becoming a member of greece telegram data our organization !”, the politicians shout. How much does that have to do with participating? If we look at the participation ladder (Edelenbos, 2000), we can distinguish 5 levels:
to inform (to know)
to consult (to know)
advise (think along)
co-produce (participate)
co-decide
Participating is related to co-producing. And of course you can co-produce by becoming a member and being active at meetings and congresses. But for the people who are not members, 98% of the population, there is not much to do at first (and second) sight and certainly not online. I am mainly informed, or possibly consulted via Twitter or other social media.
Join Diederik!