Democrats Abroad UK - Policy Action Networks

Developing the Policy Action Network

Before we develop additional PANs, we would like your feedback and ideas so that we can evaluate this experience and build upon it.

Policy Areas

The unifying theme for a network could be cast very broadly or more narrowly. Broadly cast topics for future development might include Healthcare, Social Security, Taxation, Electoral Reform, Education or Civil Liberties. On the other hand, more narrowly focused PANs could be set up around issues such as Taxation and Social Security for Overseas Residents, Overseas Voting issues or Foreign Aid policies.

To facilitate the growth of PANs, alongside the forum on Environment and Energy Security, we have set up initial pages and forums for Healthcare, Civil Liberties, Education, and Voting and Electoral Issues. In the forums you can meet other people interested in these policies and exchange ideas about what activities you would like to pursue.

Types of Activities

A Policy Action Network could undertake any or all of the following:

• Provide links to the basic relevant policy documents of the Democratic Party or candidates via this website
• Produce and share analyses, annotated reading lists, sets of websites recommended for information and/or action through an electronic network
• Organize occasional discussion groups with presentations by members
• Issue alerts when relevant legislation, debates, etc. occur – so that people can organize or participate in lobbying and campaigns
• Alert people when there are speakers or symposia on the topic, for example DAUK events and films or non-DAUK affiliated academic conferences, public lectures, or exhibitions.
• Organize official DAUK events with speakers/symposia for the whole membership

Ways of getting involved

PANs should enable members to participate in any way that suits their interests and commitments. For example, people may engage through episodic or sustained involvement or through general or specialist interest. We should try to harness the expertise of members, whether skilled in policy analysis and its development or in activism and activist links, and respond to their varied levels of commitment.

For example, members could indicate their interests and subscribe to involvement on a greater or lesser scale within a network. They could choose only to receive notices about events or alerts about campaigns. Similarly, the networks themselves could operate at different levels with some providing only basic links and alerts, while others would offer the full range of activities.

It is up to you to make the Policy Action Networks work for you and DAUK! Log into the Forums or contact the PAN coordinator.

Created by EC