Representation and Participation

Last week I attended the IAI conference held by Animation Xpress.com in Mumbai on teh 21st and 22nd May. There were quite some interesting points discussed during the 2 day sessions on how Indian Animation I should get more organized in the Academic sector, Collaboration between the Industry and the Academia etc. A point I did notice was that there were a lot being discussed, some very valid thoughts and concerns, but very little was actually being thought about in terms of coming up with solutions and finding methods of implementing them.

With these thoughts buzzing in my head, I came across an interesting article by Prof. John Maeda of MIT Media Lab, Cambridge, on his thoughts on a similar topic of purpose of a committee, specifically in academia.

Representation and Participation

In academia there are many committees as compared with industry. Committees enable the sharing of viewpoints in an open forum of members who are committed to the cause of the committee. If you turn that around however for someone who is not on the committee, from the outside it appears like a closed forum and makes those that are not inside the committee feel less committed to the cause of the committee.

A committee is usually formed of representatives for particular constituent groups. It is the responsibility of the representatives to provide representation, and more importantly to report back to their constituents how they did with enough details such that they feel properly represented but also they know how to become more committed, albeit indirectly.

Minutes are an important tool for sharing the issues discussed in a meeting, knowing who went or didn't go, and when shared openly provide for greater accountability. Starting the meeting with an agenda is important; sharing the agenda ahead of time for feedback is even more important. Finally, executing the meeting in the promised allotment of time is critical.

Even and fair participation is important. Otherwise the viewpoints become skewed and the outcome fails to benefit from the strength of diverse opinions. The leader needs to be careful to solicit opinions from quiet constituents, and at the same time ask for more vocal constituents to grant some extra room for the less vocally-gifted.

A committed core needs to connect with the uncommitted masses. Otherwise the committee has no meaning to exist. Communication in every which way is everything for the leader. Without communication, she is the leader of a team of one -- her own mind.

- Prof. John Maeda

I just find that at this stage, the Indian Animation industry and academia need to come up with a follow-up action plan rather than just talk about it in seminars and sessions.

As pointed rightly by Prof. Maeda, the leader becomes a very important driving force in the success of the committee. The question that most definitely arises then is 'WHO' is going to take on this kind of a task, and lead this cause in an effective and more importantly a committed way.

The answer to that, only time shall tell.