This is the October edition of the Cities Deepening Community Policy Digest. The Digest provides timely policy updates from across Canada that support the work of Cities Deepening Community.
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“So, let me get this straight, we’re inviting people over for a BBQ and the purpose is…just to…talk to each other?”
I had to laugh at my partner’s confusion when I recently hosted a gathering with the goal of fostering social connections and building community. Our BBQ was part of The Genwell Project, a campaign whose mission is to make the world a happier and healthier place by reminding people about the importance of face to face social connection and inspiring them to take action.
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It fascinates me how the concept of community can be so different between people. I thought I had an accurate depiction of what a community is, but after reading The Abundant Community by John McKnight and Peter Block, I now realize there can be many definitions of community. There were a lot of beliefs brought up about what an abundant community should be, and I both agree and disagree with them. There were many ideas that I agreed with up to a certain point but then disagreed after relating it to my personal life.
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What if, we used a “belonging lens” to look at our world and began to see our social problems as a compass leading us directly to the values and relationships that need strengthening? When you really think about it, at the heart of any given social problem, you will find a group of people who feel “pushed out” and values that have been eroded.
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How does a community lead change on its own terms? The Winnipeg Boldness Project, a research and development initiative in Winnipeg’s North End, is working to do just that. Guided by community wisdom and inspired by Social Lab approaches, their story is an example of what is possible for communities that are inspired to lead change.
I recently had the opportunity to attend a workshop co-hosted by Public Agenda, non-profit organization based in New York City in partnership with the City of Toronto. Public Agenda, “helps cities, states and countries integrate the principles, practices and tools of sound public engagement.”
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