13 April 2007

Tell The PM How To Run The Country

What do you think – should parents be able to smack their kids? Should there be a carbon tax? And what about the way we let prisoners out on parole? More important: how can you get the government to listen to what you think?

The fact is, most people simply don’t know what to do to be heard. A new book called Have your say: How to influence public policy by Frances Hughes and Stephanie Calder explains how anyone can become involved and make a difference.

The authors have both worked in policy for the government and say “You should not have to work in central government to learn about how public policy works. We want more people to know what we have learned the hard way.”

Their book shows you how the system works and then gives practical advice on what you can do. For example, you could contact your MP, write a submission to a select committee or petition government to hold a referendum. They also give helpful advice about key skills, such as communicating effectively and dealing with conflict.

Frances Hughes (RN, DNurs, ONZM) was Professor of Nursing at Auckland University and was Chief Advisor Nursing to the New Zealand Government. Together with policy analyst Stephanie Calder she has set up a consultancy providing policy advice and support to organizations such as WHO, NZAID and the National Residential Intellectual Disability Providers Group. They say “Both of us are deeply committed to making a difference through our work and so we want to ensure that public policy is more easily understood.”

ENDS

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