TED Talks Daily What if you could help decide how the government spends public funds? | Shari Davis
Jul 16, 2020
Shari Davis, a community leader and executive director advocating for participatory budgeting, discusses the transformative power of community involvement in government spending. She emphasizes how this approach amplifies voices often unheard, promoting inclusivity and equity. Davis shares inspiring examples, like a Boston initiative where marginalized youth influence projects. She argues for opening public spaces to all citizens, suggesting that collective decision-making can help reshape neighborhoods and strengthen democracy.
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Democracy's Fatal Flaw
- Democracy's design historically excluded many, limiting progress and creating systemic inequity.
- Opening doors to government participation is crucial for collective success and addressing societal problems.
Participatory Budgeting
- Use participatory budgeting (PB) to bring communities and government together for problem-solving.
- PB facilitates idea generation, proposal development, and voting on projects that address local issues.
Youth Lead the Change in Boston
- In Boston, youth-focused PB allocated funds for technology access, art walls, and park renovations.
- This initiative addressed real problems like the criminalization of young artists and accessibility issues in parks.
