Your voice is more important than a roof over your head.

A fact discovered while studying social innovation.

When researchers were looking into a homelessness reduction program in London the homeless people were asked what was most important for them and being consulted in a meaningful way ranked higher than actually getting a roof over their heads.

Phenomenal isn’t it?

Just to clarify, I’m at Oxford University while I’m writing this at a conference for Social Innovation. Universities from across Europe have been studying social innovation for over four years as a joint project which actually has EU money behind it. This is not namby pamby stuff.

And yet, what are we doing in PEI to encourage government consultation of grass roots organizations and individuals in regard to policy and projects?

Zip. Zero. Nada. Niet.

I mean, I look to the government “consultation” (I say consultation very loosely) process held in regard to the Cornwall bypass and I mean, seriously? It was farcical.

How do you have meaningful consultation without the public’s voice actively listened to throughout the process? Currently, I hear MRSB has been hired to do an economic impact study. NOW!

Fuck off! The road is already here…

My house is already gone and you’re studying the economic impact NOW?

Farcical.

One might also point to the school review process…

Farcical.

All of it.

And yet it persists. The arrogance of this government means that listening is an after thought.

Here I am surrounded by academics who far surpass our premier in their academic prowess and they are all championing listening to the people even when they have voices which challenge your power. That kind of listening. Real, true listening. Is what people want.

Don’t believe me?

Look at the surge in the Green Party. They are listening.

If you want to make real change and impact? Research shows, it starts with the people and listening in a real and true way because feeling heard, as though your voice matters toward impacting your own fate — is more important than a roof over your head.

That’s where positive change begins, in listening to the people you say you are there to serve.