Global Platform

The Lived Experience Congress will meet in person thrice a year, but an ongoing digital collaboration platform will be established to foster continuous collaboration and engagement. This platform will serve as a virtual space for representatives from the six independent bodies, national networks, and other stakeholders to collaborate in real time, discuss emerging issues, share insights, and develop global policies and strategies. Some key features and functions the collaboration platform could offer:

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• Real-Time Communication and Discussion: the platform will facilitate live chats, video conferences, and forum discussions to support spontaneous, real-time collaboration. This will enable members worldwide to engage in timely conversations, share updates, and collaborate on problem-solving without waiting for in-person meetings. Virtual roundtables and webinars will be held regularly to discuss emerging topics, policy changes, or specific initiatives within the sector. Live polling and feedback tools will enable real-time decision-making voting, ensuring that voices from all regions and networks are included.

 

• Document Sharing and Co-Editing: The platform will include tools for document sharing and collaborative editing, allowing stakeholders to work together on policy drafts, research papers, and reports regardless of their physical location. This feature will enable members to draft, review, and refine documents in real time, streamlining the policy development process and ensuring that contributions from all stakeholders are effectively incorporated. Version control will ensure all participants can access the latest revisions and updates.

 

• Knowledge Repository and Resource Sharing: a centralised knowledge repository will house all relevant documents, reports, case studies, best practice guidelines, and training materials, providing easy access to valuable resources for all members. The platform will enable the sharing of research, advocacy toolkits, and training resources, ensuring that members can benefit from the expertise of their peers across different regions. Searchable databases will enable users to easily locate specific resources, reports, or case studies related to particular topics or geographic areas.

 

• Task and Project Management: a built-in project management tool will allow members to create and manage collaborative tasks, initiatives, and projects between congress meetings. This will ensure that work continues smoothly, and deadlines are met between in-person sessions. Task assignments, progress tracking, and deadlines will be visible to all team members, helping maintain accountability and productivity. The platform will enable the tracking of milestones and reporting on project outcomes, allowing members to easily monitor progress over time.

 

• Engagement and Networking: The platform will host virtual networking events and meet-and-greets, enabling members to connect based on their areas of interest, region, or role within the sector. Interest-based groups will allow participants to engage with others who share similar professional or personal interests, such as peer support, advocacy, research, and policy development. It will also include interactive forums and discussion threads where members can raise questions, share experiences, and exchange advice, thereby fostering a sense of community even when they are not physically present.

 

• Virtual Training and Capacity Building: The platform will offer on-demand training sessions, e-learning modules, and workshops to help members develop their skills and knowledge in key areas of the lived experience movement, including advocacy, policy analysis, peer work, and mental health recovery. The training content will be designed to be inclusive and accessible to individuals with various disabilities, ensuring that the platform serves the diverse needs of all participants. Webinars and guest speaker sessions can also be held to provide ongoing learning opportunities from thought leaders and experts in the field.

 

• Global Policy Collaboration: global policy development will be a continuous, collaborative process through the platform. Members will be able to propose new policies, discuss changes to existing ones, and gather feedback from different regions. Policy drafts and concept papers will be uploaded to the platform for review and comment, allowing for broader input before final decisions are made at the in-person congress meetings. Real-time voting on policy decisions will be available to ensure that all stakeholders have a voice in shaping the direction of the global lived experience movement.

 

• Accessibility and Inclusion: The platform will be designed to be highly accessible, featuring screen reader compatibility, multilingual support, and closed captioning for video content, ensuring inclusivity for members with disabilities or those who speak different languages. Customisable user settings will enable individuals to adjust the platform to their needs, provided the digital space is accessible and usable for all participants.

 

• Ongoing Feedback and Evaluation: the platform will feature mechanisms for ongoing feedback, allowing members to share their thoughts on how the platform works and suggest improvements. Surveys and evaluation tools will help track the effectiveness of virtual collaboration, and member satisfaction can be regularly gauged to make necessary adjustments.

 

By providing constant access to collaboration and real-time communication, the digital collaboration platform will ensure that the Lived Experience Congress is not limited to its in-person sessions but remains a dynamic and ongoing global network. It will also help facilitate the implementation of international policies and initiatives across all the networks, ensuring consistent and continuous progress throughout the year.