The primary objective of this book is to present, analyze and discuss forms of collective mobilization from theoretical, methodological and practical perspectives, set against recent societal developments. Our aim is to investigate how collective mobilization occurs and how it can be facilitated, particularly at local and regional levels, while treating 'the local' as connected to a wider context. We understand 'collective mobilization' as joint effort, often in the form of grassroots initiatives, directed at changing basic living conditions and experienced as significant for the participants involved. A central premise for this understanding is that the mobilization is initiated by something or someone - a person, an incident, a group - leading to action. 'Collective mobilization' is, as such, the way deliberate collaboration, alliances and communication work within a community. In this first chapter we elaborate on this understanding of the term and phenomenon of 'collective mobilization' and present some specific and concise examples. We argue for the relevance of collective mobilization for different professions and actors before describing the structure of the book and the primary objectives of the respective chapters.
'Participation' is increasingly emphasized in Norwegian public discourse. Here, 'participation' is presented as something that happens and should increase within, together with and beyond the traditional areas of the welfare state. In this chapter, we examine such official representations and understandings of 'participation'. We examine the articulations and understandings of participation in a broad sense and outline implications for the design of services and for distribution of tasks. We present and discuss findings based on a review and subsequent discourse analysis of key white papers - 'reports to the Storting (Norwegian Parliament)' - published in the period 2006 to 2020. In the chapter we demonstrate how the reports to the Storting present participation as broad and porous phenomena with numerous and interconnected positive attributes: citizen participation will increase innovative capacity and efficiency, be health-promoting for individuals and groups, be cost-effective for society, and lead to social justice. As such, participation is presented as exclusively positive and thus appears unapproachable. Participation is good for the people, good for the (local) community, and good for the government. However, we do not participate enough, according to the reports: everyone can participate more, no matter what prerequisites you have and no matter how frail you are. Critical discussions about practical implications of increased participation as well as relations of power are largely missing, we argue, related for instance to varying conditions and opportunities for vulnerable groups.
People with lived experience of mental health or substance use challenges are increasingly employed as peer workers in mental health and substance use services. The authorities essentially initiate peer workers' entry in Norway, described as a means of ensuring service user participation and bringing a service user perspective into service development. Collaborative practices are a well-established principle in these services. Peer workers engage in various interactive practices to support existing service users and bring benefits to services, and contemporary service delivery is prioritized. This chapter discusses some relevant conditions and structures that affect peer workers' ability to realize their potential in contributing to individual and system change. Peer workers' participation leads to creating new relationships and collaborative practices in the services. This shift can be understood as social innovation as it is concerned with meeting social needs in new ways and attuned to the process towards it, which is collaborative practice. Peer workers in new collaborative practices may or may not improve the service's capability to tackle social problems. Many factors will affect whether peer workers influence how these services are performed and developed in the future. Peer workers' practice and participation will require support from the professionals in the services, strategic leaders, and authorities if their participation is to change the service they are meant to influence.
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