The Enabling State: Giving Power to Citizens and Communities

Sir John Elvidge, former Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government, visits the RSA to explore how the state can improve public services and wellbeing by harnessing the strengths of its citizens, and devolving power to communities.

Are we harnessing the considerable strengths and assets within our communities effectively? Could a move away from the traditional model of welfare help transform our public services for the 21st century?

The relationship that we have with the state has a fundamental impact on the quality of our lives, but traditional approaches to public service delivery have often proved inadequate over a long period. Could a challenging extension to the role of government, an 'Enabling State', that enables citizens to have a more active role in decision making and public service delivery be the answer?

Carnegie Fellow Sir John Elvidge, Former Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government, visits the RSA to discuss how more responsive and engaged governments can successfully improve wellbeing by giving citizens and communities more control. Following 18 months of consultation and research into the 'Enabling State' Elvidge now has a route map for how governments can give communities and citizens more power and, crucially, make it a success.

Speaker: Sir John Elvidge, former Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government
Chair: Gaia Marcus, Former Senior Researcher, RSA