BACKGROUND
	The Issues The relationship between representation and participation in democratic systems is a critical issue for local community development, national political stability, regional cooperation and global security. At present, particularly in Aotearoa/NZ, there exist varying degrees of awareness and application in terms of institutional capacity and willingness to address the legal, moral and political questions associated with public participation in democratic systems. Discussion on the relationships between the principles and practices of democracy with notions of identity, nationhood and culture will be increasingly important as the project of globalisation increases in scale and speed of influence. Civil society has a central role to play in the reform of local, national and international political structures to more adequately accommodate minority interests - particularly the rights and responsibilities of children and young people as well as cultural, linguistic and religious minority groups. Youth organisations from a number of Pacific Island states have indicated support for increased collaborative learning opportunities with a commitment to transferring learnings in their home communities. The undertaking of a unique project in the South Pacific to explore theoretical considerations and promote best practice in relation to these issues will provide unique opportunities to a diverse range of communities, civil society organisations, public institutions and political systems in the region. In order to support and encourage the development of projects aimed at addressing the local manifestations of global problems, the organisers believe that training youth leaders to negotiate complex social, political and cultural relationships is the most valuable asset that it can offer for the accomplishment of its goals. The task of building social capital and cohesion in a globalising world, requires a wide range of skills, knowledge, networks and resources. Appropriate training experiences and networking opportunities are urgently required to stimulate sustainable initiatives and principled leadership in local and regional contexts.        Local Organising Committee Members Manu Caddie Born and raised in Tauranga, Manu is Director of the Pacific Centre for Participatory Democracy, a community organiser with KaPai Kaiti and a board member on the Council for International Development. Tui Warmenhoven Ngati Rangi, Ngati Horowai, Te Whanau a Ruataupare ki Tokomaru - Tui is a lawyer and researcher based in Ruatorea working on a five year project focusing on sustainable hapu development and matauranga Maori development. This project is carried out by He Oranga Mo Nga Uri Tuku Iho Trust in conjunction with Ngati Rangi, Te Whanau A Rakairoa and Ngati Uepohatu hapu. Rick Mansell Rick is originally from Canada and currently works at the Gisborne District Council as Manager of the Economic Development Unit. He is passionate about environmental issues and social enterprise. Tina Karaitiana Tina is the Marketing Manager at the Gisborne Herald and has been involved with newspapers for 16 years. She served seven years on the Board of Netball NZ and represented NZ and the Oceania region on the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) Members Council. She currently servces on the Board of Sport & Recreation NZ. Tina is of Tuhoe and Ngati Porou descent and received the Maori Administrator of the Year Award in 1998. She is a former member of Te Roopu Manaaki and a former trustee of Sport Gisborne and the Gisborne YMCA. She is the chair of Gisborne Girls High School Board of Trustees and a Trustee of Chelsea Private Hospital. Charmaine Clark Char is the Coordinator of the Tairawhiti Youth Workers Collective and the Tairawhiti Youth Development Trust. Glenis Phillip-Barbara Glenis has spent the better part of her adult life engaged in working to develop and better understand education practices that successfully prepare tamariki Maori for the dynamic lives that lay before them. Concurrently she has worked to actively recover matauranga Maori within whanau, hapu, iwi and communities in order to re-affirm their place in society as contributors to a positive and loving social condition. Glenis is currently Acting Head of the Maori Studies and Social Services department at Tairawhiti Polytechnic and a Trustee of Te Aka Ora Charitable Trust. She is an active member of the Maori Party and stood at number five on the list in the 2005 General Election. Marcus Akuhata-Brown Marcus grew up on the East Coast, his father is Ngati Porou (Tuwhakairiora) from Te Araroa on the East Cape and his mother has English and Welsh ancestry. A qualified teacher and gifted communicator, Marcus has led a number of innovative alternative education programmes addressing the learning needs of youth at risk and young offenders. Over the past six years Marcus has travelled all over the world as both a national and internatioanl representative. He founded Tukaha Global Consultantcy Ltd in 2000 and is curently involved in a number of education and training initiatives. Marcus is a previous director on the international board of CIVICUS and member of the Commonwealth Youth Caucus.      Advisory Group Members Dena Ringold A Senior Economist with the World Bank based in Washington DC, during 2005 Dena was an Ian Axford Fellow based in Wellington and wrote a paper on the issue of targeted policies for ethnic groups in the New Zealand context. Graham Bidois Cameron Graham is decended from the Pirirakau of Tauranga Moana and has recently relocated to Tauranga after many years working in Wellington as a senior policy analyst for a number of central and local government organisations. Justin Duckworth Justin is a community development worker and adult educator working for the Global Education Centre in Wellington. He is the co-founder of Urban Vision a faith-based community of volunteers working with young people and new immigrants in Wellington. Dion Howard Specialising in adolescent health, Dion is currently working on a research project in Italy, investigating the pedagogical method of self-government instituted in youth development programmes and their impact on participants concepts of citizenship and the democratic process.	The Study Session Organisers of this project recognise the need to urgently address the issues outlined above through a diverse range of initiatives undertaken by a wide range of stakeholders in many different contexts. As one modest contribution to the multi-faceted strategies being employed around the region, it is proposed to bring together a small group of young leaders who may not have experienced similar opportunities before for a week of training, intellectual stimulation, facilitated dialogue and practical planning. A group of up to 50 young people will come together in New Zealand and participate in an intensive training programme structured over five days and be involved in follow-up activities over the next 12 months. Goals Organisers aim to bridge theory and practice, action and reflection by providing a platform for the considered exchange of opinions, inter-cultural and inter-generational dialogue while enhancing youth leadership, local activities and regional networking. The two primary goals of the Study session will be: 1. To identify the relationships between the principles and practices of democracy and notions of identity, nationhood and culture; 2. To plan and implement initiatives that will address these issues through constructive, sustainable and innovative strategies at local, national and/or regional levels. The Study Session aims to target participants who are from communities and organisations that will benefit significantly as a result of the participant's involvement in the Study Session. Subsequently participants are expected to: - add value to the activities of their local community, organisation and networks by making an increased contribution to their organisation and/or community as a result of participation; - identify opportunities for multiplying the learning and benefits they experience as participants in the Study Session for citizens in their home country. The project will provide selected young leaders, their organisations and projects with training and support in developing their activities and capabilities. As such this activity does not only involve the participants but has a multiplying effect for other members of the participating communities, organisations and networks. Expected Outcomes & Evaluation The Study Session content, format and follow-up activities are designed to build the capabilities of participants and subsequently the capacities of their communities, organisations and networks. Participants are expected to have increased their:: 1. knowledge and understanding of the relationships between the principles and practices of democracy and notions of identity, nationhood and culture; 2. skills to plan and implement initiatives that will address these issues through constructive, sustainable and innovative strategies at local, national and/or regional levels. The follow-up activities to the Study Session will include: - initiatives and projects planned by participants as part of the Study Session; - an internet-based forum and online community; - based on the evaluation and outcomes, the possibility of similar events within the target region; - a reference document of resources, papers and reports from the Study Session participants and facilitators/presenters. The capability and capacity building benefits from the project are three-fold: 1. The immediate impact on the participants understanding of the issues and skills to undertake constructive work and ongoing discussion related to the themes; 2. The medium term impact on the communities, organisations and networks that participants are connected to through increased knowledge and activity related to the themes; 3. The general medium to long term benefits to democratic governance and participation in the target countries through an increase in active citizenship as result of benefit multiplication from participants to their communities. Participants will be selected partly on their ability to transfer and multiply learnings and on a demonstrated commitment to the issues addressed by the Study Session. Findings of the event evaluation that demonstrate positive outcomes for participants and their communities/organisations may lead to similar events being planned for the future. It may also be further decentralised for each sub-region as needed and additional resources permit. A robust evaluation mechanism will be designed by the organising committee and built into the project that will include participants, sending organisations and sponsors/funders.   About the Pacific Centre for Participatory Democracy The primary purpose of the Pacific Centre for Participatory Democracy (PCPD) is to research and articulate issues related to access and participation in democratic systems and to make evidence-based information and resources accessible to interested stakeholders. The Centre aims to provide resources and robust information from a non-governmental perspective on ways that organisations, structures and systems can improve participation by the public and the integration in decision-making of interests from minority groups. Established in 2005 and based in Gisborne, New Zealand, the Centre plans to grow slowly and over time increase the scope of activities - initially it provides an information service and training opportunities. Within two years it is expected to include significant action research capabilities, networking coordination and consultancy services for organisations interested in developing best practice systems and approaches with regards to democratic participation in public life. At present an Advisory Group of individuals with specific expertise from around the world contribute policy and programme development advice to the Centre.