It appears the moral communitarians in England are not up for a rigorous public debate over their "charitable" activities in the UK.
Free people must remain free to criticize governments and it is essential they are able to produce evidence to support their criticism. Common Purpose trains government "leaders" in global communitarian leadership. But like Etzioni's communitarian programs in the U.S., public disclosure of these programs and the ideology behind the training is suppressed, and open public debate over the validity or legality of these programs is rare. Common Purpose seeks to make it even rarer.
Free people must remain free to criticize governments and it is essential they are able to produce evidence to support their criticism. Common Purpose trains government "leaders" in global communitarian leadership. But like Etzioni's communitarian programs in the U.S., public disclosure of these programs and the ideology behind the training is suppressed, and open public debate over the validity or legality of these programs is rare. Common Purpose seeks to make it even rarer.
Nice one, Niki.
ReplyDeleteCharities, trusts, foundations and all other kinds of Third Sector organisations in the UK increasingly perform a "Public Sector"-type role and therefore should, like the Public Sector, be open, transparent and subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to facilitate inquiries and requests from the British public. Within the wording of the FOI Act 2000, the opportunity does exist, to cover all these types of organisation and many believe this should happen, wherever possible; by directly designating the contractor, trust or charity as a ‘public authority’ in its own right in relation to that service by virtue of its status, grant or tax exemption.
ReplyDeleteA "whitewash" quite recently took place under New Labour so the idea for this kind of extension could be discredited; most Brits are unaware of it, it was not widely discussed in the media here:
www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/DailyBulletin/922957/Freedom-Information-Act-will-not-apply-charities/A5DF4DC0C44684E4F4370D36B716E55A/?DCMP=EMC-DailyBulletin
Freedom of Information Act will not apply to charities,
By Paul Jump, Third Sector, 28 July 2009
Common Purpose, as a charity in the UK,is not subject to the Freedom of Info. Act 2000. The info about Common Purpose that is available on the 'Common Purpose Exposed' website has been obtained by people requesting info on CP from UK public bodies such as police depts. gov. depts. local gov. etc. and their dealings with Common Purpose. Common Purpose have, in turn, claimed this is copyright infringment and this info is private AND SHOULD NOT BE MADE PUBLIC. If Third Sector organisations such as quangos, NGOs, trusts, charities (CP), etc. were classified as extensions of the Public Sector and made subject to the F.O.I. Act 2000, such info could be requested directly from Common Purpose and then made public domain and free to copy, use and discuss. CP do not want this, the UK Gov does not want this. CP operates as a Freemasonry -type set up (but with tax payers' money) with CP graduates scratching each other's backs.
ReplyDeleteHope this helps, I'll shut up now!
thanks cheese, important add to this and news to me. I didn't know the UK just passed an FOIA in 2000. Was it big news there? I still meet LOTS of Americans who don't have any idea what ours is or how to use it. And keep writing as often and as much as you want here.. I appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteBeen wondering how you and your daughter are doing. ever since I quit fb I've lost touch..grrrr.
"Was it big news there?" No, Niki.
ReplyDeleteMost people don't know it exists.
You can make FOI requests online here:
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/
The FOI Act 2000 actually came into force here on Jan. 1st 2005. The Gov. under New Labour (Blair, Brown) and now Conservative/ Liberal (Cameron & Clegg) have been shifting powers and money (grants, tax allowances) to the now massive Third Sector (not covered by the Act) ever increasingly in recent years.
ReplyDelete