Civic Engagement and the Restoration of Community
Six
Conversations That Matter
SM
What Constitutes Action
Civic
engagement as used here is about a shift in the language and
conversation we use to make our community better. We treat civic
engagement as something more than voting, volunteering, and supporting
events designed to bring people together. While civic engagement is
about action, it is not about community action and community development
as we normally construe it.
The conventional view of community action and
development address what we usually call problems; areas such as public
safety, jobs and local economy, affordable housing, universal health
care, education. In our terms these are really symptoms. The deeper
cause is in the un-reconciled and fragmented nature of our community.
This fragmentation creates a context for solving the symptoms that only
sustains them. Otherwise why have we been working on these symptoms for
so long, and so hard, and even with so many successful programs, seen
too little fundamental change?
The
real intent of civic engagement is to shift the context within which
traditional problem solving, investment, and social and community action
takes place. It is aimed at the restoration of the experience and
vitality of community.
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