Launch of the Basic Income Conversation Toolkit
As the Basic Income Conversation launches the Conversation Toolkit, Co-Founder Cleo Goodman reflects on why conversations about basic income are so important as we enter year two of the pandemic.
Last week marked the one-year anniversary of lockdown in the UK. What a challenging year it’s been. It’s not the circumstances we would have wanted but the last twelve months have opened our eyes to just how broken our current system is and just how much we need a basic income.
This time last year sparked huge calls for an Emergency Basic Income. But with the end of lockdown now in sight but it’s vital that we don’t go ‘back to normal’. It is now time to talk about how we rebuild our country. It’s time to talk about basic income again.
More people and politicians have been talking about basic income than ever before. Basic income really can be our generation’s NHS — the foundation of a new, post-COVID social contract. However, the government is yet to be convinced and there are still millions of people who have never heard of the idea. It shows we still have work to do.
That’s why it’s time to scale up the debate around basic income, one Conversation at a time.
It’s why we are launching the Basic Income Conversation Toolkit
What is a Basic Income Conversation?
A Basic Income Conversation is a structured discussion that helps you deepen your understanding of basic income and look at its potential impacts. They are led by your stories — of why we need basic income, what we’d do with it and what impact it would have on our communities.
We know talking about basic income with people for the first time can be daunting. That’s why we created the toolkit, a tool to support you to lead the Conversation.
Why Conversations?
Mike and I took to our new Instagram account last week to talk through this. We believe because a basic income would go to everyone, everyone should have their say about what it looks like.
We want to spark a wave of Basic Income Conversations right across the country this Spring, embedding the idea into public consciousness.
Basic Income Conversations will spread the word about this big idea, taking basic income to thousands of people for the very first time. These Conversations are designed to increase people’s understanding and improve the quality of debate.
Basic Income Conversations are a chance for you to take action and become leaders. By hosting Conversations you will bring new people into our movement, as it grows and diversifies.
Basic Income Conversations give people the opportunity to share their stories and have their voices heard. We believe that lived experience is the most important evidence to consider in the move towards a basic income, you’re helping us gather that evidence.
Together, Conversations will help us build the power we need to compel decision makers to enact a basic income for all.
Everyone is welcome to join in the Basic Income Conversation. You don’t have to be an expert or even support the idea, as long as you’re approaching the Conversation with respect and an open mind your contribution is valuable.
Click here to download the Basic Income Conversation Toolkit.
It talks you through the step by step process of bringing people together for a Basic Income Conversation, including template agendas, resources, tips and guides — everything you need to host a Conversation!
What can you do?
You might support basic income and want more people to hear about it. Maybe you’re not quite sure of the idea and want to talk it through. You might want to explore how a basic income would impact your area of work.
However you’re coming to it, if basic income has piqued your interest this past year, it’s time to have the Basic Income Conversation.
We’re here to help you turn that interest into action.
How you use the Basic Income Conversation Toolkit is really up to you.
We suggest you bring together a group of 5 to 10 people for your Conversation. You could invite your friends and family at home, colleagues at work, or your local community to discuss how a basic income might impact you.
However you use it, your work will bring more people into the movement. You’ll be leading the calls for a basic income and shaping our work with your stories.
You can keep up to date with all the Conversations happening on our Instagram and if you’d like to learn more, do get in touch with me at cleo@basicincomeconversation.org
