WEBINAR | Democracy - A New Idea For Government to Do 'With' Not 'For'

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In this webinar, John McKnight and David Mathews explored why there is a loss of faith in governing institutions, why doing 'with' not 'for' can work and examples of how it has worked and what can citizens do to be producers and not recipients. Here is a summary of what was discussed:

Better alignment - Some of the best opportunities for a better alignment occur when citizens and professionals are doing the same thing but doing it differently.
To work with citizens - A 'with' strategy reinforces what our institutions are trying to do but cannot do alone.
To recognize different ways of working - governing organizations identify the problem using cost benefit analysis and citizens use public deliberation and they both have benefits.
To see citizens as producers - people who make things to benefit the common good.

Take Your Learning Further:

Visit the Kettering Foundation
Read publications by David Mathews:
Read Asset-Based Development at a Glance
Listen to our podcast A Discussion of ABCD with John McKnight
Check out The Learnings of John McKnight

Vibrant Communities

By Vibrant Communities

Vibrant Communities supports cities and local leaders to develop and implement large-scale change initiatives through four learning networks: Ending Poverty, Deepening Community, Building Youth Futures and Climate Transitions. Our belief is that when we are effective in strengthening community capacity to engage citizens, lead collaboratively, deepen community and reduce poverty, our work contributes to the building of peace and more equitable society.

Ending Poverty Pathways Course

Join Vibrant Communities' Natasha Pei, Manager of Cities, in this new five-module course. Topics include Ending Working Poverty, Governments and Communities Ending Poverty, and Big Ideas for Ending Poverty.

Through this course, you'll be guided through reflective questions and exercises that will help you make the most of the course materials and content. This course is designed to help you learn at your own pace as you advocate for and advance high-impact ending poverty pathways in your community.