If “Context-onaries” Existed, How Might They be Used to Increase ‘Civic’ Engagement?

Abstract

Words have no meaning without context. This paper explores, through literature review, observation and attendance at community meetings, development of a conceptual model of a personal context-onary, how a better understanding of a personal context could lead to increased civic participation. Civic is used in its broadest sense, meaning any activity that a person does (engages in) to assist another, is included in the context of civic. The paper did not include any survey or testing of the usefulness or applicability of a personal context-onary, or what would be different (benefits) if a community context-onary were created. The paper does provide a preliminary conceptual model that proposes a deeper embrace of the fullness of the context from which an individual emerges. The paper also includes a critical comparison of four district council websites from the perspective of how those websites encourage or discourage participation by looking at seven distinct elements, noting that only one website provides choice of language in which to view the website and states that it is open to the public.