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Inclusion
‘We are one’: the only way to be

Amanda Topps attends a festival of performance, wellbeing
and debate that urged people to act like citizens rather than
just talking about doing the right thing

magnificent celebration of The packed programme was organised
“inclusive citizenship in a world by Frances Brown and John Dalrymple,
A where everyone matters – without who are members of both Radical Visions
exception” was the rallying call to attend and Citizen Network.
Glasgow’s inaugural CitizenFest. People There were well over 50 events over the Dual controls: Fionnathan repeat their show
from across Scotland and the rest of weekend including a performance by from the Edinburgh Fringe
Great Britain came to the summer event. Fionnathan. This father and son duo from
Focusing on concepts of life, freedom, Ireland brought their Edinburgh Fringe citizenship, democracy, inclusion,
purpose, love, money and home, the show, a thought-provoking mix of autonomy and choice were discussed
festival got off to a roaring start with Stay comment, comedy and Irish music about in seminars.
Up Late Scotland (see pages 14-15) living with Down’s syndrome, to Bob Rhodes from Lives through Friends
hosting a huge night of live music, bands CitizenFest. They want to have fun and said: “The fundamental question boils
and DJs. change the world and certainly helped us down to: why – when services can’t
The sounds of The Outsiders from to join in doing so. (Fionnathan featured in possibly do those things that matter most
Leeds, Ayawara African fusion percussion Community Living: The Phenomenon that to people, because those things derive from
and the fresh, colourful Well Happy Band is Fionnathan, summer 2017, page 14). their relationships within reciprocal families
filled the packed Strathclyde Student Activities included: caring for your and communities – does the government
Union with dancing and conversation – a mental health and wellbeing; Grow and persist in investing in services that actively
great way to start networking and making Go, a planting workshop; massage; a safe compromise and weaken communities,
new friends as the festival kicked off. space for women; and film and literature substituting a money-based, market
celebrating LGBTQIA+ people. There were economy for the love-based, core relational
Call to come together also chances for attendees to graphically economy and attenuating democracy? I
Amazing and provocative talks, debates, record their views about the important guess the answer has to be ignorance.”
workshops, music, films, art, comedy and topics of the day, courtesy of Imagineer. The seminar gathered international
music were peppered throughout the guests to debate and imagine a better
ancient halls and cultural venues of Talent and achievement future and way of being to encourage
Merchant City in the heart of Glasgow. Festivalgoers included Sam Sly from positive change in politics and social care.
The skirl of the Scottish bagpipes Enough is Enough and Time4Change, who The presentations and discussions, the
welcomed festivalgoers with traditional said: “CitizenFest to me was a celebration new language and ideas were challenging
tunes, followed by the Every Voice Choir, a of all that is great about both diversity and stimulating; it was exciting to meet
dementia-friendly choir entertaining an and togetherness. I had such a great people who shared the same values and
audience keen to join in with popular weekend and a smile never left my face. cared passionately about making a
tunes from the Beatles to Abba and the “Hearing about talent, achievement, difference to see a more equal society and
Flying Pickets to the Proclaimers. good music, spending time with good build community for all.
A provocation formally launched events friends, making new ones and staying up I left CitizenFest hopeful that by
as organisers introduced Dr Simon Duffy, late - I couldn’t have had a better time. I networking and supporting one another
director of the Centre for Welfare Reform, have always believed in citizenship and we can turn the tide for a more positive
who challenged us to celebrate human this weekend strengthened my desire to future through engaging, listening and
diversity saying: “Too often, we each end push forward on ensuring everyone gets interacting with each other to determine
up trapped in our little boxes and in our what is their right.” a more humane, person-centred culture
own special groups, each trying to fight These sentiments were shared by many and politics with policies rooted in rights
for justice and inclusion. festivalgoers as the hot topics of and a deep understanding of one another.
“But if we really want to see a better “We Are One” echoed down the streets of
world, where everyone is treated as an Glasgow long after the last band had played
equal citizen, then we must come at the Mono cafe and the conversations had
together. We have to remember that we faded, following each of us home and
are one. We need to act like citizens - not strengthening us with new vigour to cherish
just talk about it.” diversity and fight for equality.
Jackie Baillie MSP, who convenes the l Citizen Network: https://citizen-
Scottish Parliament cross-party group on network.org
learning disability, addressed the Amanda Topps; Simon Duffy
gathering with a keynote speech, then the Amanda Topps is an researcher, evaluator,
day’s workshops and activities unfolded and community engagement consultant who
along with excitement and expectation. Beating a path: Shiro Miruku Taiko drumers has worked in adult social care for 29 years

22 Vol 33 No 1 | Autumn 2019 Community Living www.cl-initiatives.co.uk