Transcript Communication and Representation

COMMUNICATION AND
REPRESENTATION
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COMMUNICATION IS THE HEART OF REPRESENTATION
IF YOU CHOOSE ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE REPRESENTATION, IT IS
COMMUNICATION
NOT JUST COMMUNICATION
• Communication should form the major part of the
representative’s TORs
• The idea of responsiveness assumes the existence of
two-way communication- of efforts to listen to and
to talk to the constituents
• Access and the assurance of access,
communication and the assurance of
communication- are the intricacies underpinning
representation
WHAT IS TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION
• It is an ongoing and reciprocal flow of information,
ideas and preferences between representatives
and the represented
• Representation requires continuous dialogue or
conversation, between representatives and the
constituents they serve
• This entails appraising the constituents of their
actions and decisions made
WHAT IS TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION
• It also entails constituents having a platform to
provide input and feedback
• One-way communication undermines the
representative-constituent relationships
• Two-way communication provides constituents –the
reach, the space and persuade representatives
about their concerns and preferences
PILLARS OF COMMUNICATION
• Informing constituents about the activities and
decisions representatives make- notify constituents
about their activities
• Its their responsibility to report back-keep
constituents abreast of policy developments
• Effective representation process requires not just
selective and intermittent, but regular and
comprehensive communication with the
represented
PILLARS OF COMMUNICATION
• Giving more feedback and getting constituents to
participate
• By sampling of constituent opinion on policy issuesto ensure that views of representatives and
constituents remain in sync
• Keep in touch with the needs of the constituents
PERCEIVED BENEFITS OF REPCONSTITUENT COMMUNICATION
• Constituent regularly well informed by
representatives gain better and get extensive
knowledge on policy developments and operations
• Such contacts enhance responsiveness to
constituent needs and concerns
• Representatives themselves gain from regular
communication-expand representative’s
understanding of the constituents-this inspires
greater confidence in them-reduces
misunderstanding
THANK YOU