I had the privilege of attending one of Dave Meslin's talks in Victoria in 2018. His words summarized a feeling I'd been carrying but couldn't articulate, and ignited a flame of curiosity about how I could play a role in creating a culture of participation. This feeling, in part, led me to pursue a path in community planning.
I'd like to share a summary of what I took away from this talk:
People aren't apathetic, people are intentionally excluded from participation. Why is it easier to know where to buy a pair a shoes than where and how to attend a town hall or vote in an election? Important messages aren't profitable, so you often don't see them. We need to make engaging in community dialogue and decision making more accessible and desirable.
You don't have to be a hero to be a leader. Leadership can start by talking to your neighbours
Creating a culture of participation starts at a neighbourhood level. Dave shared examples of how his neighbourhood came together in small ways: painting an unsanctioned street mural together and in the winter, a neighbourhood maple syrup batch (he's from Toronto). These small projects had big results, creating the foundation for public participation and empowerment through relationships and trust.
You'll find some of these ideas and more in the video below, enjoy!
Yorumlar