Consulting community

It is often lamented that we have lost our sense of community, particularly in major cities. Work demands are increasing and family life can be regimented into rosters for driving children to extracurricular activities. 

It is easy to understand the attraction of making a ‘sea change’ or a ‘tree change’.  People may move to regional locations to slow down their lifestyle, find a balance, and in doing so, contribute to the community they live in.

Councils are aware of the benefits of cohesive communities and fund projects that will assist in developing community life. Brisbane City Council has strategically allocated continued funding for Neighbourhood Planning. Neighbourhood Planning allows interested community members to have input into the planning and cultural activities that are targeted for their suburb and to be proactive. 

In Queensland we have a dual challenge of valuing and maintaining the local identity of communities while encouraging these same communities to think regionally.

Most councils will commit annual funding for arts and cultural activities for community arts projects, individual artist’s professional development, festivals and events.  They will also try to be inclusive when reviewing relevant policies, plans and other documents by consulting with their communities.  How the consultation process is managed is pivotal.  If not managed well, communities will feel disenfranchised.  Consultations managed well will not only engage community participants, but have the potential to build capacity and generate long-lasting goodwill.

This section will focus on the benefits of building strong communities using cultural tools.

References

Carson L. ‘Innovative consultation processes and the changing role of activism’. Third Sector Review. Vol 7, No1, 2001:pp7-22

‘Making It Real: A Resource for Community Consultation’ Local Government Community Services Association of SA Inc. 2002.

Philbin A. Capacity Building in Social Justice Organizations. Ford Foundation,1996.

Bens I. Advanced Facilitation Strategies: Tools & Techniques to Master Difficult Situations. Jossey-Bass, 2005.
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