Opportunity and Voice
When we think about the opportunity for people to share their voice, it's critical to remember all the factors that can impact a person's ability to share their voice and their thoughts. This is especially true when it comes to citizen engagement in government.
For citizens juggling rotating work schedules or lacking paid time off work, or working multiple jobs, or without transportation or child care . . . participating can be next to impossible. They may not get the chance to share their voice in a meaningful way. And that's too bad. Because, the crucial voices are the ones that have to live with the results of the policy decisions . . .
Democracy is not just a question of having a vote. It consists of strengthening each citizen’s possibility and capacity to participate in the deliberations involved in life in society.
~FERNANDO CARDOSO, PAST PRESIDENT OF BRAZIL
