Listen hear: the right to be heard: summary

This is the summary document for the longer report of the Commission on Poverty, Participation and Power. The report looks at the key issues of rights, power, poverty, and respect. The report argues that the ultimate disrespect for anyone, particularly poor people, is phoney participation that serves to justify the status quo. The paper suggests that meaningful participation works if it is able to reach and meaningfully include everyone. It argues that participation must involve a chance in attitudes and behaviour by politicians and professionals. These changes are critical for policies tackling poverty and revitalising democracy to succeed. The main topics covered are the right to be heard; shifting from mistrust to making a difference; and recommendations for making participation real.