We consider the next major wave of people-focused transformational change has been flagged by the Brexit and Trump phenomenon - where communities are feeling forgotten and have lost faith in traditional political parties, media, governments and businesses who are out of touch with the realities of their lives and what is important to them, or worse still, don't seem to care. The growing gap between rich and poor, the lack of a national vision and action to create a better future for the bulk of the population, young and older people with little hope of employment or a bright future, all create this malaise. This strips ordinary people of hope for the future and demonstrates a lack of leadership competence, listening, fair process, and moral courage that is a sign of a need for change.
We will use this page to share some stories about how an inspiring vision, good leadership, listening, and fair process can engage communities, give hope, and unleash the underutilised energy and ability in people to transform their communities and build trust and hope.
We will use this page to share some stories about how an inspiring vision, good leadership, listening, and fair process can engage communities, give hope, and unleash the underutilised energy and ability in people to transform their communities and build trust and hope.
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When communities feel forgotten
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Jonathan Haidt, the author of Why Nationalism beats Globalism, asks - what causes people to change their behaviour, including their political choices? His thesis is that the very success of globalisation has led to a backlash among a large proportion of society who have been disadvantaged by globalism and consider their national and community interests are under threat. In a globalised world, open borders, multiculturalism, and economic rationalism appear to be displacing “traditional values” of community, family, and established sources of authority and employment..
Haidt suggests that people become intolerant in the face of certain kinds of threats to their core values. Globalism and its economic and social fallout on whole communities has left large groups, usually in the middle and working classes, feeling they are not being heard or represented by the economic elite, the media, and established parties. Increasing concentration of wealth, the migration of large groups of people with different cultures and beliefs with little expectation to integrate, and undervaluing the importance of shared national values and beliefs that create social cohesion, have led to communities feeling forgotten and looking to new leaders to represent their interests and values.
This essay offers a powerful and original way to think about some of the most important political changes of our time and what can be done to prevent extremism.
Haidt suggests that people become intolerant in the face of certain kinds of threats to their core values. Globalism and its economic and social fallout on whole communities has left large groups, usually in the middle and working classes, feeling they are not being heard or represented by the economic elite, the media, and established parties. Increasing concentration of wealth, the migration of large groups of people with different cultures and beliefs with little expectation to integrate, and undervaluing the importance of shared national values and beliefs that create social cohesion, have led to communities feeling forgotten and looking to new leaders to represent their interests and values.
This essay offers a powerful and original way to think about some of the most important political changes of our time and what can be done to prevent extremism.
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Creating Community - A story of transforming a dying city heart
Renew Newcastle is a not for profit company established by Marcus Westbury and a small group of supporters in 2008 to find short and medium term uses for buildings in Newcastle’s CBD that were vacant, disused, or had been awaiting redevelopment - many for a decade or more.
Renew Newcastle aims to find artists, cultural projects and community groups to use and maintain these buildings until they become commercially viable or are redeveloped. |
The organisation was founded to help solve the problem of Newcastle’s empty CBD. Many sites were boarded up, falling apart, vandalised or decaying with no effective attempt to solve the problem.
Renew Newcastle has brought life back to the CBD of Newcastle and reversed its decline. At the same time it has fostered micro-businesses that would have had little chance of such an opportunity for commercial accommodation and collaboration.
This is an example of working together to create an environment that removed impediments to entrepreneurship and allowed people to do what they were passionate about and re-energise a city centre.
Renew Newcastle has brought life back to the CBD of Newcastle and reversed its decline. At the same time it has fostered micro-businesses that would have had little chance of such an opportunity for commercial accommodation and collaboration.
This is an example of working together to create an environment that removed impediments to entrepreneurship and allowed people to do what they were passionate about and re-energise a city centre.