Promoting a ‘Vertical Conversation’ on Poverty Reduction

John Stapleton Metcalf Foundation Fellow July, 2009

What is a Vertical Conversation?

 A vertical conversation is a dialogue undertaken between all stakeholders  in a particular area; or  on a particular topic  The ‘top’ of the conversation is comprised of those closest to power, those who have the most ‘policy currency’, and who can make and influence decisions  The ‘bottom’ is comprised by those furthest from power and who have the least direct influence and lowest level of stated policy knowledge but often the most passion, moral outrage, stamina, and political distance from those in power 2

Who is in the vertical conversation?

               Government: Political ; Government: Civil Servants; Government Watchdogs: Inside Government Watchdogs: Outside Municipalities; Municipal Associations Institutional Interests Academic Associations Private Sector Leadership Alliances Think Tanks Funders/philanthropies Agencies Activist: Government and policy oriented; Activist: Base Mobilizers; Activist: Community Self-help groups: Grass Roots Consumer and Survivor voices Media Activist: Outside Orientation –political 3

Who has good vertical conversations?

 That is:  Cohesive, respectful, consensus building, respected by government, reliable, forceful  Wide consensus that best vertical conversations take place in the following areas  Arts  Environment  Recreation 4

Who has challenges to their vertical conversation ?

 Housing has challenges involving all stakeholders from time to time  Urban renewal advocates are not always on same page  Poverty Reduction interests have one of the most difficult challenges by having a series of narrow horizontal conversations among but not between stakeholders 5

What is a horizontal conversation?

 A horizontal conversation takes place when one type of stakeholder dominates the public space in a conversation where:  Endorsements for one set of solutions are routinely sought from other stakeholders (but not the other way round)  Governments are invited to hear from a narrow band of stakeholders  Media generally covers the ‘fault lines’ between government and the most vocal stakeholder 6

What does the Poverty Reduction Conversation look like in Ontario?

 The following slide illustrates the stakeholder level (sector) and (sample) players (entities) in each sector.

 The

shaded area

illustrates the horizontal band of stakeholders that seeks endorsement, invites government most aggressively to take specific action, and solicits media attention  It is also the sector with the least direct influence, least policy expertise but greatest passion, sense of outrage and political difference. 7

The Social Policy Food Chain: A Vertical Slice for Poverty Reduction and Social Assistance Sector Government: & Political Side Government: Civil Servants Government Watchdogs: Inside Government Watchdogs: Outside Municipalities Municipal Associations Institutional Interests Academic Associations Private Sector Leadership Alliances Think Tanks Funders/philanthropies Food Banks Non-profit: (Charitable) Activist: Government and policy oriented Activist: Base Mobilizers Activist: Community Self-help groups: Grass Roots Consumer and Survivor voices Media Activist: Outside Orientation –political Entities

Premier’s Office, Results Committee, Ministers’ staff MCSS, Finance Human Rights commission, Ombudsman Citizen’s Advisory Groups, NCW, CCPA City of Toronto, Peel, Kingston, Windsor ( i.e. activist municipalities) AMO, OMSSA OMA, MSF, RNAO Queens’ Policy Studies, CFC (Milway, Florida), Frontier College, Teacher’s Unions and Assoc.

TD Economics TCSA (MISWAA) Caledon, CD Howe ACF, Metcalf OAFB, Daily Bread, The Stop Settlement Houses , TNC 25-5, Worker’s Action Centre SPNO, Recession Relief Coalition CSPC-T, ISAC, Scarborough groups St. James Town, Crescent Town Voices from the Street Toronto Star OCAP The Community Activist Sector - What could be termed the horizontal group of activists that is the visible part of the advocacy and activist sector 8

Why is a vertical conversation required in the poverty reduction area?

 To have more influence on government  To increase policy currency (knowledge and expertise)  To tap into evidence based research  To grow a better media strategy  To marshal credibility of other stakeholders  To Influence other stakeholders in a position of power and influence (near and or outside government).

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How has a horizontal conversation hurt the poverty reduction agenda?

 Activists aggressive calls for endorsements, government action and media coverage has crowded out other stakeholders in the vertical conversation i.e. They ‘claim the space’  Other Stakeholders with influence, policy expertise, and credibility often ‘cede’ their influence to activists by endorsing campaigns rather than developing their own voices independently i.e. They cede their space to others.

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How can poverty stakeholders work differently?

 Acknowledge importance of a vertical conversation to strengthen and inform advocacy  Convene a vertical conversation for the Ontario government’s announced:  social assistance review;  Citizen centred approach to social policy; and  Its new social policy institute 11

How can poverty stakeholders work differently?

 Develop non-traditional solutions to recurring problems  e.g. Welfare caseload growth during recessions, inadequacy of benefits, stigma, welfare wall, program complexity, asset stripping etc  Share knowledge and expertise  Set out implementable steps for government action 12

How can poverty stakeholders work differently?

 Collaboration is the key.......

 Activists in horizontal conversation could be asked to collaborate by reducing endorsement, government confrontation and media action  Other vertical stakeholders could be asked to work more diligently to offer solutions based on their expertise in a more prominent and collaborative way 13

What does a vertical conversation experiment look like for poverty reduction?

 Ask government to provide an audience to a convened group of poverty reduction stakeholders across sectors  Convene (invite) vertical stakeholder groups across sectors  Stage a facilitated conversation to mine the benefits of collaboration  Ask for a commitment to collaboration 14

What does a vertical conversation experiment look like for poverty reduction?

 Develop new solutions  Go back to government  Engage in a new collaborative conversation with government as a potential partner  Move forward 15