Nothing about us without us
A city for the citizens. All of us.
More than two decades ago, the phrase “nothing about us without us” became popularized by disability activists. However, its roots go back much further. It’s a telescope into the history of democracy.
According to Wikipedia, “The saying has its origins in Central European political traditions. It was the political motto that helped establish—and, loosely translated into Latin, provided the name for—Poland's 1505 constitutional legislation, Nihil novi, which first transferred governing authority from the monarch to the parliament. It subsequently became a byword for democratic norms.”
A similar democratic vision is reflected in our own city crest, by the Latin words, Omnes ad unum, which translates as “together as one.”
How do we make decisions and move ahead together as one?
We start with a clear vision that describes the benefits to the citizens. Benefits that inspire the support and participation of all of us. Then, the vision becomes the standard - the measure against which we place each issue. From that comparison, the best outcome for specific decisions becomes clear. For example, with a specific vision, how much easier would it be to make decisions about the Drag Race, the commercial property at 255 Hwy 108, and now the Kiwanis Park ball diamond?
The vision and strategy process is underway now. Will the council decide our future in another closed-session meeting?
Elliot Lake, we desperately need a vision that we have created together as one.
By Stephen Calverley, March 26, 2023
More than two decades ago, the phrase “nothing about us without us” became popularized by disability activists. However, its roots go back much further. It’s a telescope into the history of democracy.
According to Wikipedia, “The saying has its origins in Central European political traditions. It was the political motto that helped establish—and, loosely translated into Latin, provided the name for—Poland's 1505 constitutional legislation, Nihil novi, which first transferred governing authority from the monarch to the parliament. It subsequently became a byword for democratic norms.”
A similar democratic vision is reflected in our own city crest, by the Latin words, Omnes ad unum, which translates as “together as one.”
How do we make decisions and move ahead together as one?
We start with a clear vision that describes the benefits to the citizens. Benefits that inspire the support and participation of all of us. Then, the vision becomes the standard - the measure against which we place each issue. From that comparison, the best outcome for specific decisions becomes clear. For example, with a specific vision, how much easier would it be to make decisions about the Drag Race, the commercial property at 255 Hwy 108, and now the Kiwanis Park ball diamond?
The vision and strategy process is underway now. Will the council decide our future in another closed-session meeting?
Elliot Lake, we desperately need a vision that we have created together as one.
By Stephen Calverley, March 26, 2023