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Monday 17 February 2025 (Online)

Democratic processes including policy-making and other political decision-making, happen every day. These processes can be weakened by poor practices or undue influence, with serious consequences for public health.

However, there are ways to strengthen democracy and make processes fairer and more robust. Learn how to identify, advocate for, and enact democratic processes that address issues such as lobbying and other forms of undue influence, and explore ways we can improve the quality of our policy and political decision-making.

  • Understand and identify how commercial interests can undermine democratic processes (lobbying, agency capture, commercial determinants of health practices)
  • Understand how shared decision-making under Te Tiriti strengthens democracy and how more novel forms of democratic processes (deliberative democracy) can improve the quality of decision-making on policies.
  • Identify actions (individual and collective) that can be taken to strengthen (make fairer and more robust) democratic processes

Topics covered

  • Commercial determinants of health
  • Lobbying
  • Agency Capture
  • Influence Marketing
  • Shared governance
  • Deliberative democracy

Style of course

Online Symposium – Multi-speaker presentations via zoom webinar.

Who should attend?

This course is primarily aimed at those engaged with policy and other political decision-making either as experts and advisors, or as public servants. It may also be of interest to a broader audience of people who are interested in democratic processes. Sessions will be practical as much as theoretical, with each speaker asked to identify what those engaging in policy development or advice might do or advocate for to support the rigour of democratic processes.

Provisional draft timetable

TimeSessionPresenter(s)
8:45amJoin online in waiting room 
 Session 1: What can weaken our democratic processes? 
9:00amWelcome and introductionsMarnie Pickett  (Convenor)
9:15amCommercial determinants of health: What are they? Why do they matter to our democratic processes? How do you identify them and their practices?TBC
9:45amBreakout session: Attendees introduce themselves to small discussion groupsFacilitators will guide each group
10:15amMorning tea 
 Session 2: How can we address issues of undue influence in democratic processes? 
10:30amLobbyingMax Rashbrooke
11:00amAgency CaptureMarie Doole
11:30am10-minute stretch break 
11:40amInfluence MarketingMichael Macaulay
12:10pmPanel Q&A with Max, Marie and Michael 
12:45pmLunch break 
 Session 3: How can we strengthen democratic processes? 
2:00pmShared decision-making and rangatiratangaMaria Bargh
2:30pmDeliberative democracyAnne Bardsley
3:00pmPanel Q&A with Maria and Anne 
3:15pmAfternoon tea break 
3:30pmBreakout session: Small group discussion on what has been valuable from the day’s speakers? What do you want to know more about?Facilitators will guide each group
4:00pmReport back from breakout sessions 
4:20pmOutro, farewellMarnie Prickett
4:30pmFinish 

Teaching staff

Location

This one-day course will be held online via zoom.

Course cost and registration

Online full day course

$225 early bird, $300 after Thursday 19 December 2024.

A 50% discount is available to full-time students, those unwaged and University of Otago staff.

Register now

For more information please contact the course convenor

Contact name
Marnie Prickett
Email
marnie.prickett@otago.ac.nz
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