
Governments need to listen to all voices, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to develop policies that work for everyone. Listening to and learning with those who are seldom heard is critical if governments are to develop policies and responses that work for all of society; not just the dominant voices. It is also critical to building trust and collaboration in the fight against COVID-19. But what does good listening look like? How does listening lead to action?
This webinar explored the role and importance of listening to people experiencing complex challenges, and offer some insights around how to do it in a way which builds trust and lasting relationships.
Speakers:
- Dr Suze Wilson (Senior Lecturer, School of Management, Massey University)
- Ruth Ball (Senior Associate, CPI)
- Jerome Harvey-Agyei (Senior Children & Youth Participation Officer, Greater London Authority)
- Facilitated by: Simon Kent (Deputy CEO, Thought Leadership, ANZSOG)
Watch the webinar
materials hub
To take our webinars further, we’ve collated a wide range of material exploring learning to listen again.
- Check out key insights and highlights from the webinar, and an interview with Jerome Harvey-Agyei.
- Explore our audience’s observations, resources and questions, posted in the webinar group chat.
the theory
Dive more deeply into this topic by learning more through blogs, articles and reports.
- In the report “Learning to Listen Again”, CPI explores why the so-called “hard to reach” may hold a key to COVID-19 recovery – and how government can listen more inclusively.
- In “Creating a Democracy for Everyone”, Jim Macnamara examines how effective governments are at listening to their stakeholders, and the key components required for effective listening and engagement.
- What is ‘Community’ and Why is it Important? Toby Lowe shares his thoughts on what ‘community’ means & why it’s an important concept for those interested in social change.
- Catherine Althaus and Carmel McGregor investigate the strengths and weaknesses of the APS’ current approach to “Delivering Local Solutions” to communities.
- “The pandemic has pushed citizen panels online”, and Claudia Chwalisz describes how we can apply research on in-person public deliberation to the virtual world.
- “Politicians need to listen up before they speak up – and listen in the right places”. Jim Macnamara describes the need for greater empathy, and how the changing nature of political participation and social media doesn’t necessarily mean more listening.
- In “Are You Really Listening”, Adam Bryant and Kevin Sharer share how leaders can actively create a more expansive “listening ecosystem”.
- Curious City is a Chicago-based radio series, known for their audience engagement. Andrea Wenzels details some of the lessons they’ve learned.
- Questions change everything in community engagement. Max Hardy examines how we can engage community without making assumptions about them, their knowledge and their needs in a TedXStKilda talk.

in practice
We’ve collated case studies and material to illustrate what these ideas look like in practice, and offer frameworks and tools to support experimentation with a similar approach in your work.
- In the report “Learning to Listen Again”, CPI outlines example questions to spark deeper community engagement, considerations for online engagement, and broader lessons learned from the listening engagement process.
- Partecipedia is a a global network and crowdsourcing platform focused on public participation and democratic innovations. Lots of interesting examples of how governments and public servants across the world are rethinking listening.
- ANZSOG’s write-up on the recent Proud Partnerships in Place First Peoples conference, “How Aotearoa-New Zealand is Building Successful Partnerships with First Peoples”, explores the need for better partnerships with Indigenous communities, and explores stories of approaches that lifted results for Indigenous communities.
- The Queensland Government Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning published a Community Engagement Toolkit for Planning, detailing the ways government can encourage genuine community engagement in the planning process.
- The OECD’s report, “Catching the Deliberative Wave” collates evidence and case studies on how deliberative processes work across different countries.
- Coming out of the Irish Citizens’ Assembly, “Deepening Public Engagement on Climate Change: Lessons from the Citizens’ Assembly” provides helpful guidelines to underpin future public engagement activities.
- The Western Australian Government has published a guide for the public sector, “Engaging Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities”.
join our community of practice
Our Community of Practice is a forum for conversations over the course of the webinar series, as well as a chance to build new relationships with like-minded people passionate about reimagining government. Content in webinars will be brought to life, with interactive sessions, conversations and networking opportunities.
Join us as we reimagine government.