Governanza (work in progress)

Richard Harris, 12 October 2025

The social fabric is the landscape upon which we develop the social infrastructure and modify its governance

There is nothing “neutral” about the social fabric of society. In short, we cannot sustain democracy or work towards a more equitable society without grappling with the social network of our various countries. There are many things that we can and should be doing in every part of society — including business, government, and civil society – so I hope you’ll .. start imagining interventions that you can do to make the world a healthier place. Danah Boyd

For people to feel united there need to be well-funded and cherished public spaces where relationships can develop, evolve, cement, including with people with difference to us; spaces where all can interact, regardless of race, ethnicity or social-economic background. We can’t join together if we don’t interact with each other. We can’t find common ground if there is no ground for us to share. Noreen Herz

Tutti i cittadini hanno pari dignità sociale e sono eguali davanti alla legge, senza distinzione di sesso, di razza, di lingua, di religione, di opinioni politiche, di condizioni personali e sociali. È compito della Repubblica rimuovere gli ostacoli di ordine economico e sociale, che, limitando di fatto la libertà e l’eguaglianza dei cittadini, impediscono il pieno sviluppo della persona umana e l’effettiva partecipazione di tutti i lavoratori all’organizzazione politica, economica e sociale del Paese. Art. 3. Costituzione Italiana

Initiatives for consultation and participation are often developed to accompany formal democratic processes, and are presented as opportunities for public engagement and for strengthening democracy. Far fewer initiatives seek to facilitate and encourage open and unfettered public conversation in which people can engage with each other as a fundamental of a democratic society. Governanza is a proposal to draw attention and resources towards the social fabric itself, and to allow and help all to freely play their part in it.

Mission finding common ground

  • Bringing together people, knowledge and ideas that would not meet otherwise (Promiscuity is not a dirty word)
  • Fulfilment of the constitutional guarantees of free speech, public assembly, social dignity and equality (Towards a neutral social fabric)
  • Stimulate and facilitate understanding of governance and its real-world impact (Can governance be improved? How?)

Strategic principles practical tools for the social fabric

  • Governanza will be an operating entity with practical approaches to analysing, discussing, repairing and transforming the social fabric, and as a trustworthy brand for innovative and effective services and tools.
  • Demonstrable independence from government. Transparency in its own governance.
  • Activities have the potential for virality, self-finance and profitability. Minimal reliance on institutional funding. Any investments, sponsorships or partnerships based upon clear and stated objectives.
  • Activities should practice what they preach, always seeking to bring together people and ideas that would not meet otherwise. The Meeting is the Message.
  • At the outset, the guiding stars are participation and democracy, not participatory democracy (maybe later). Activities are Theory and Practice,

Objectives

Immediate (1 year)

  • Credibility of Governanza as a starting point in building relationships with institutions, partners and suppliers
  • Build a network of sympathisers/partners (advisory board?)
  • Establish Governanza as an entity
  • Launch of one or more activities with impact at a national level

Medium term (2 years)

  • Several activities stretching the sphere of influence (interracial, intergenerational, international, …)
  • Licencing of the Governanza brand

Long term

  • Governanza as a global brand, rather than as a multinational enterprise

Activities, products and services

Theory – designing the tools

  • Publicly accessible platform for current governance research
  • Study of the design of public meetings – more attractive, more enjoyable, more inclusive
  • Applied complexity (1)
  • Critiques of current participatory processes
  • Scientific meetings, open to the public
  • Online debate (but not on others’ social networks)

Practice – using the tools

  • Public discussion of governance, e.g. Scuola di Governanza
  • Getting people together, meetings and meeting formats, e.g. Maremma!
  • Facilitation of meetings and meeting places, e.g. Piazzer
  • Larger meetings and festivals, e.g. United Notions
  • Transparency of information of broad public interest (2)
  • PR
  • Games (1)
  • Publications
  • TV, media, podcasts
  • Online debate (as above)
  • Website

Notes

1. Complexity and games
In particolare, l’analisi dei “tipping point”, quando il declino della governance porta alla fallimento della democrazia.

2. Transparency
Fondazione OpenPolis: La buona informazione è un collante nelle società aperte al cambiamento, capaci di evolvere e di migliorare. Giusto …
Ma OpenPolis non fornisce le informazioni direttamente al pubblico per farne cosa vuole. L’offerta principale è la redazione “giornalistica” di analizzare, sintesi e divulgazione. L’opportunità è di creare una versione Wiki di OpenPolis, oppure (meglio?) lavorare con loro per una versione “a dettaglio”.