The Population Debate 2010
A growing, ageing and more diverse population has been
identified as one of the key factors influencing the long term
development of the economy, sustainability and wellbeing in our
region. Some would say that it might turn out to be the single most
important factor. However, there is not yet enough understanding of
these issues, nor is there clear representation of what the range
of issues is and what may be the tensions between various
priorities.
The South West Regional Development Agency and the Regional
Employment and Skills Partnership, in association with the Regional
Age Management Standing Group, has designed a ‘horizon scanning’
exercise to stimulate and capture thinking about how, in the
context of a significantly ageing population, the South West Region
can manage paid and unpaid employment and active ageing. What will
be the issues, challenges and opportunities for public policy,
employers, communities, families and individuals over the next 20
years? How will the human and social capital of the older
population be valued and utilised?
To develop this requires us to mount some ‘fresh conversations’,
allowing new ideas to be explored without being tied to existing
policies and sectoral interests.
This is why we’re contacting you and asking for your
involvement.
Over the period February to March 2010, we are undertaking a
major horizon scanning process to explore thinking about the
region’s ageing population, employment and active ageing. Overall,
the purpose of the horizon scanning/scenario process is to:
- Gather thoughts and ideas about older people, employment and
active ageing;
- Consider and prioritise the ideas we have collected;
- Better understand not only the more obvious issues and also
spot those issues that are presently less obvious but that may grow
in importance and about which we need to be more thoughtful.
How will it work and how can you be involved?
STAGE 1: First Phase: 17 – 23 February 2010
The first stage will use what is called ‘virtual’
brainstorming’. This involves the collection of ideas. The process
is managed through web-based tools, so we work with you on your
desktop. In this ‘collection phase’ we will gather your thoughts
and observations about what are the key issues for the future
regarding age, employment and active ageing. Participation requires
you to record your thoughts and ideas; it is not a questionnaire or
survey; typically it will take about 30 – 40 minutes of your
time.
STAGE 1: Second Phase: 10 - 16 March 2010
This is the prioritisation phase, we ask you to prioritise and
evaluate the ideas produced by other participants. As we will be
dealing with up to 120 participants from a range of organisations
and sectors, there is the potential to generate a wide range of
ideas. The process is highly engaging but takes up only as much
time as you wish to devote to it.
STAGE 2: 17 March – early April 2010
We then examine the data, comparing emerging themes and
participant sectors, and looking at the nature of the
interrelationship between themes. Analysis provides reporting on
‘strong signals’ that should be considered when planning, new ideas
on practice, and innovative perspectives that could play a part in
planning. We produce a draft analysis report, profiling those ideas
where there is high agreement on the significance of ideas, but
also pinpointing areas of thinking where there is contention and
where there are ‘signals’ that may or may not be important, but
that warrant further attention. This report is presented to RESP
Alliance members at an Alliance Event, to scope further insight to
these results.
STAGE 3: April 2010
This Stage is focussed on producing a report that distils the
key ideas emerging from the exercise, with prompting where strategy
might be directed, but also where further thinking and policy
development should be considered. This will be presented to the
Regional Employment and Skills Partnership Board. There will also
be further opportunities for the outcomes and content of the
exercise to be used in workshops, seminars and meetings by regional
agencies and organisations when considering various aspects age
demography and population issues.
We believe that this work will be valuable in engaging a
wide number of people in a way that is structured but open,
enabling challenge to traditional ways of thinking and making tacit
knowledge, valuable intuition and insight visible.
How to join
We would like to ask you to join in and contribute to the
Horizon Scanning exercise. Please send the following by 12
February 2010:
- The name of your organisation;
- The name(s) of those participating;
- The e-mail addresses for those participating.
to: Stephanie Hardy, Communications Co-ordinator, South West
Regional Employment & Skills Partnership: Stephanie.Hardy@swrsp.org.uk
Thank you,
Nigel Williams, SWRDA and Simon Mauger, NIACE on behalf of the SW
RESP Age Management Standing Group.