It’s a worry! I’ve explained before that community engagement – especially with sustainability – is not an easy task. Many people argue that it is problematic and can actually hurt those it most intends to benefit. So let’s just have a quick look at some of the major criticisms. I’d love… Continue reading Criticisms of community engagement
Tag: community engagement
Engagement without Borders, Melbourne, 2012
I was delighted to assist IAP2 with this forthcoming event at Abbotsford Convent on the 29th May in Melbourne. Download the PDF of the program here: Engagement Without Borders _outline program Personal, organisational, cultural, demographic or geographic; engaging with the full spectrum of our communities can be a significant challenge. … Continue reading Engagement without Borders, Melbourne, 2012
Helping Sally at dinner: what to do at the dinner table when sustainability comes up?
Old friends having dinner and reminiscing in the comfort of Sally’s spacious home. We’re talking about the environmental crisis facing the Earth, and my concerns about flying across the Pacific Ocean from Australia for my teaching job in Vancouver. I’m certainly worried about the environmental impacts of all that travel and yet I really want… Continue reading Helping Sally at dinner: what to do at the dinner table when sustainability comes up?
Silencing Dissent: charity begins at home
April 29, 2011 – 4:07 pm In an eco-village, there is more to life than managing weeds and water quality in the dams. What we have learned about social reform and social change in Western countries over many decades is that burning books and silencing dissent are very dangerous practices. What is my dissenting… Continue reading Silencing Dissent: charity begins at home
Why bother with community engagement, anyway?
April 11, 2010 – 9:43 pm In the past couple of weeks I have been confronted by many aspects of the community engagement debate. Angry residents questioning my integrity as I try to help them with a local environmental problem I’d say qualifies as a “wicked problem” in their neighbourhood. Then I experience… Continue reading Why bother with community engagement, anyway?
The original dream for Jarlanbah Permaculture Hamlet
April 5, 2010 – 3:07 pm I’m mining the archive! Jarlanbah Permaculture Hamlet from Shirley’s house, 1993 The original dream for Jarlanbah Permaculture Hamlet was very different from the back-biting and suffering we experincce every day on this community. It was a dream with substance and charm. A real dream. Here’s… Continue reading The original dream for Jarlanbah Permaculture Hamlet
(re)visioning Jarlanbah Permaculture Hamlet
April 3, 2010 – 9:44 am It’s Easter weekend: a time for reflection on renewal, blessings and hope. I am awash with fresh insights following a fascinating community mediation about the dual occupancy (accessory dwelling unit) issue on this community. Sometimes people leave intentional communities. See “Leaving Utopia”, click here: Leaving Utopia… Continue reading (re)visioning Jarlanbah Permaculture Hamlet
Trouble in Paradise: Dual Occupancy at Jarlanbah
March 15, 2010 – 9:59 pm Trouble in Paradise Tomorrow evening my neighbours are meeting to decide whether or not to try to ban dual occupancy (commonly called accessory dwelling units: https://www.mass.gov/envir/smart_growth_toolkit/pages/mod-adu.html ) in this eco-village of 43 dwellings on 22 hectares. The whole process has me mightily confused. Imagine the… Continue reading Trouble in Paradise: Dual Occupancy at Jarlanbah
A Bow of Gratitude to Bang the Table
March 5, 2010 – 5:36 pm You may have been reading about the Australian community engagement firm, Bang the Table, recently caught up in one of those sorts of political issues that characterise community high-profile engagement – at least in some Australian states. I have been concerned that the “baby… Continue reading A Bow of Gratitude to Bang the Table
Evaluation Research: Must the Messenger Always Be Shot?
22 July 2009 at 2:39 am A few months ago, I was lucky enough to have to write a short piece on evaluation for a consulting report. I reviewed what I had in my library, did a quick Internet search and… Continue reading Evaluation Research: Must the Messenger Always Be Shot?