N e w s f r o m C a t a l y s t
2 5 F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 4
Included in this mailing:
1. PUBLIC SERVICES 2004 - moving the debate forward
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1.
A POSITIVE AGENDA FOR PUBLIC SERVICES
Catalyst Public Services Programme 2004
Building on a number of important and influential interventions in recent
debates around public service reform, Catalyst is developing a programme of
activities aimed at moving that debate forward into new positive and
progressive territory.
We are keen to hear from anyone who may have something to contribute to what
we intend to be an organic and increasingly inclusive process.
Catalyst's Public Services Programme will aim to facilitate and stimulate a
productive and inclusive dialogue among
* individuals, organisations and communities that use and interact with
public services
* staff and professionals who work in public services, and the trade
unions who represent them
* progressive researchers, analysts and commentators from academia, the
media and the policy community
At the heart of this discussion will be an attempt to focus on the dynamic
and multidimensional social relationship between those who use public
services and those who deliver them. We hope to draw from this a set of
shared principles, understandings and objectives that can help shape a
positive agenda for public services in the years ahead.
Our ultimate goal is to help inform and guide the process of building a
broad and sustainable political and social coalition of support for
* maintaining high and increasing levels of investment in public services
funded through fair and redistributive taxation
* a renewal of those services that develops the benefits of a strong
public service ethos and a culture of equal and participatory social
citizenship
The first stage of this project will be a series of seminars to review
experience and refine ideas on key topics such as:
* Why public services?
* Public service users: experiences and perspectives
* Public service workers: experiences and perspectives
* Responsive public services: how can users best be empowered?
* Ownership and control: how can structures affect delivery?
These seminars will inform and guide an in-house research strand, the
initial outcome of which will be presented for wider discussion and debate
in autumn 2004 at a major national conference being organised with the Barry
Amiel and Norman Melburn Trust, and bringing together a large participating
audience of Catalyst subscribers, trades unionists, civil society
organisations, grass roots activists, and engaged citizens and service
users.
This in turn will provide the basis for a further publication which we hope
will present an inspiring and expansive vision of the place of public
services in our society in the twenty-first century.
* Catalyst will welcome feedback and offers of intellectual contribution at
all stages of the process. For more information or to get involved please
contact Catherine Needham by emailing [log in to unmask]
or call 020 7733 2111.
* For examples of Catalyst's past publications in this area visit:
http://www.catalystforum.org.uk/pubs/index.html
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A Positive Agenda for Public Services
Moving the debate forward
Catalyst Public Services Programme 2004
http://www.catalystforum.org.uk/resources/research3.html
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C a t a l y s t
150 The Broadway
London SW19 1RX
Telephone +44 (0)20 7733 2111
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
www.catalystforum.org.uk
'The One to Watch' - Prospect Think Tank of the Year Awards 2003
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