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2001 Conference - Rotorua
  
No. 5: Knows and Builds upon the
Community's Assets, Capacities, Skills, Competitive Advantages and
Points of Difference
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in
seeking new landscapes, but having new eyes"
(Marcel Proust)
"Every living person has some gift or capacity
of value to others. A strong community is a place that recognises
these gifts and ensures they are given. A weak community is a place
where lots of people can't or don't give their gifts"
"Every single person has capacities, abilities
and gifts. Living a good life depends on whether those capacities
can be used, abilities expressed and gifts given"
(John McKnight and Jody Kretzmann)
By far the most important factor in the ratings of success was:
"How people feel about their community"
("The Success Factors - Managing Change in Regional and Rural
Australia" - Rural Women's Advisory Council)
"Volunteering has consistently been identified
in the study as a critical factor of the future success of rural and
regional communities. It has been the single most important factor
in people feeling good about their communities, and hence working
for their community's greater success"
"Yet the rate of volunteering is declining at
a time when it is most needed. Older volunteers are burning out and
younger people are being discouraged from participating by the
prevalence of barriers that make them feel negative about their
communities"
("The Success Factors - Managing Change in
Regional and Rural Australia" - Rural Women's Advisory Council)
Unique Contribution by Young Women and
Men
- Fresh perspectives
- Great collaborators
- Make the dollar stretch
- Passionate about issues, e.g., environment/sustainability
- Impatience
- Best know what other young people think and want
Paradigm Change Regarding Young Men and
Women
| Problem |
=> |
Problem Solver |
| Client |
=> |
Change Maker |
| Recipient |
=> |
Co-Participant |
| At risk population |
=> |
Leadership asset to be dealt with
to be cultivated |
Youth at the Centre
A national youth development initiative responding to the key
issues related to the retention of young men and women in regional
Australia, and their active involvement in its economic and social
future. As implied in the title, Youth at the Centre, seeks to
promote the active participation and leadership roles of young
people in identifying and creating positive futures for their rural
communities.
Program Strategies
- Changemakers Program
- Youth Leadership Development
- Rural Entrepreneurship Through Action Learning (REAL) Program
- Youth Philanthropy
Ontario's Five Promises to Young Men and
Women
- A healthy start (good nutrition, intellectual stimulation).
- An adult who cares (parent, neighbour, tutor, coach, relative,
teacher, mentor).
- Safe places to learn and grow.
- The tools to succeed (education, teamwork skills, analysis
skills, communication skills).
- A chance to make a difference (learn about their own values by
giving back and making a difference).
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