ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on two arenas and forms of engagement which offer prospects for opening up governance processes. It looks at understanding and influencing policy processes. The chapter explores the ways in which citizen action and social movements can affect change. Policy narratives often gain validity despite the fact that they frequently simplify complex issues and processes. Policy narratives can stick with great tenacity, despite contrary perspectives and practices. Policies often have a certain inertia: particular ideas and practices stick, despite concerted challenges to their basic concepts and implied ways of working. Building and linking networks is a key part of policy change – particularly linking very local networks to broader coalitions operating at national, continental and international levels. Faced with complex, dynamic policy challenges, many professionals in policy positions are not necessarily equipped with the skills and insights necessary.
