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Circulation:
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Greetings
Interest in renewed relocalisation is one of the positive outcomes of the current global crisis. Coupled with issues like peak oil realities, climate change, declining stocks of social capitalism and global consumerism, many communities and their businesses are seeing the value of refocusing on local businesses resilience and ‘think first’ strategies.
Relocalisation represents community based strategies that have developed in response to the environmental, cultural, economic, social and political ramification of climate change, over dependence on cheap energy, global consumerism, loss of a sense of community and the instability of the global economic system.
Relocalisation incorporates strategies that seek to build localities based upon local production of food, energy, services and goods. The main goals of relocalisation is ensuring community energy security, strengthening the resilience and independence of the local economy, enhancing stocks of social capital and drastically improving environmental conditions and social inclusiveness.
The Municipal Association of Victoria, with support from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. and Village Well are planning a national conference in Melbourne on this theme from the 8th – 9th September, 2009. Specific details of this event will be sent to all Newsletter Subscribers in the coming weeks.
If you prefer, you can click on the links below to go direct to that topic.
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"Believe it can be done. When you believe something can be done, really believe, your mind will find ways to do it. Believing a solution paves the way to solution"
(David Schwartz) |
This is a great initiative/scheme that allows local people to support
local family farms while benefiting from fresh fruit and vegies.
Click here for a great example of how this works, check
out the website of Food Connect in South East Queensland and
Northern New South Wales. |
Bank of I.D.E.A.S. considers the Innovative
Resources Bookshop of St Lukes in Bendigo, Victoria the best source for personal and community development
publications.
If you do not know this group and what they offer,
click
here to check out their new website. While checking out
the website, sign up for their new six weekly online newsletter called SOON.
You will never be short of helpful practical resources.
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 This is another great youth initiated movement. MMAD’s purpose is to improve the lives of all young people, particularly disadvantaged and marginalized young people, through the power of music, the creative arts and the unconditional positive regard. MMAD’s programs seek to break the negativity and help young people to reach their full potential.
To check out more,
click here
to visit the MMAD website. |
Morgan Foley is a passionate community member living in Kalamunda. Concerned about the declining contributions to community groups and charities due to the global economic crisis, he decided to use his assets/gifts (drumming) to generate new funds.
Click here to read his inspiring story of giving. It is a great illustration of ABCD in action.
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Click here to read a great article illustrating that not all are being affected by the global economic crisis. It is a wonderful story of how some cultures have not joined the modern world’s preoccupation about global markets.
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In late May, Peter Kenyon delivered a presentation at a forum in Burnie on ‘Surviving in Troubled Times’.
Click here for the news report.
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Click here for a great story about social capital building and crime prevention.
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 The National Coalition for
Democratic Dialogue, the International Association for Public
Participation and the Co-Intelligence Institute in the USA have been
leading a dynamic, collaborative online process aimed at developing
a set of Core Principles for Public Engagement that most
people and organisations in this field can support.
Click here to download a copy of The Core
Principles for Public Engagement and
click here
to visit The National Coalition for Democratic Dialogue web site to look over the expanded text developed to illustrate each of the seven
principles.
Thanks to Dee Brooks from Family Action Centre for the heads up. |
 We mentioned this exciting movement in the last edition of the newsletter. With World Environment Day on 28 June, it is a great concept to share with our local communities. Its positive approach to resilience and community connectedness is so refreshing.
Click here to download a Bank of I.D.E.A.S. information sheet on the process and methodology. |
A key discovery by the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is simply that conversation is the most basic and powerful tool we have in community and economic development.
Two wonderful resource discoveries this month to aid our use of this tool were:
- "The Art of Powerful Questions -catalyzing insight, innovation and action"
by Eric Vogt, Juanita Brown and David Isaacs.
Click here to download a copy - Thanks Dee Brooks from
Family Action Centre for this gem.
- "Mapping Dialogue - essential tools for social change " by Marianne Mille Bojer and others.
Click here to download a copy from the Toas
Institute.
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Click
here a for very useful report by Joanne McNeill on this theme. Joanne in 2008 was a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust recipient who visited over 40 organisations in the UK, USA and Canadian and has provided some very useful learning’s related to the support of social enterprises. |
You're invited to be part of history - and the generation wide
movement that will solve climate change - by attending, or sending
students to, Australia's first national youth climate summit.r
Registration for Power Shift 2009 just opened and you're invited to be one of the thousands of young voices making
the demands for a clean energy future heard loud and clear across Australia when
young people come together in Sydney on July 11th - 13th.
Click
here to register, for more information and to view
YouTube video promo by Ian Thorpe.
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The Examiner has given the leadership to great example of Relocalisation – the
'Buy Local’ Campaign where the newspaper has used editorials to highlight companies who pledge to support local purchasing opportunities.
Click
here for details, and examples of their
local citizen and
local business pledge forms.
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The Bank of IDEAS believes this is the best publication available
regarding Asset Based Community Development. Given it’s limited
availability, Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has agreed to become a distribution point in Australia.
If interested in this wonderful publication, email
pk@bankofideas.com.au, cost including postage and packing in Australia is $48.00
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 Heritage Futures International is a group who we greatly admire for their unique contribution to the area of
heritage and economic and employment development.
Click here for more information. |
Click on the following links for a copy of
two new handouts by the Bank of I.D.E.A.S.:
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Peter Kenyon from Bank of
I.D.E.A.S. is facilitating an initiative under the auspices if the International Council of National Youth Policy – an international think-tank of young people on the critical issues of concern to young people. It now involves 20 young people from diverse locations across the globe.
Click
here for details. |
 Peter Kenyon had the privilege of being the guest speak on the theme – ‘Making things happen at the community level’, in a series of workshops around Tasmania as part of the National Drug Action Week. Organised by the Drug Education Network Inc., it provided a great opportunity to gain deeper insights into the challenges of alcohol abuse.
Did you know that in Australia, alcohol abuse is responsible for:
- a community annual cost of $15 billion
- the death of one teenager per week, and the hospitalisation of 60 more
- being a key factor in 70% of violent assaults
- the major cause of road accidents
- approximately 3000 Australians and die and some 10,000 need ongoing medical treatment from alcohol related illnesses.
Certainly an issue worthy of community conversation and action. For more information, and a copy of presentations,
click here
to visit the Drug Education Network website.
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This bi-annual event is occurring again this year from 10-11 December, 2009 in Preston, Melbourne, Victoria. This is the premier event to learn new community development skills and gather new practical tools. Hosted by the Municipal Association of Victoria, and supported by the Bank of IDEAS and MoHOW;
this event will have three streams:
- ‘Engaging Young People in
Building their Future’
- ‘Engaging Local People in Developing their Local Economy’
- ‘Engaging Young People to Lead and Teach in Community’.
Plan to be there.
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 The Municipal Association of Victoria through their new National Knowledge Centre will be offering two day Facilitator Training events in August regarding:
- Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) Methodologies (11th – 12th August)
- The Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Program (13th-14th August)
Both courses will be presented by Peter Kenyon from Bank of I.D.E.A.S.
For more details or to register, please contact John Hennessy at MAV –
Jhennessy@mav.asn.au. |
This is an amazing initiative of Lions International and the Drug Education Network Inc.
This national podcast/vodcast service and virtual production studio has been created for young people aged 16 to 25. Its content is developed by and for young people about issues that matter to them. This interactive site lets young people express themselves in a way that suits them, and listen to what other people have to say.
For more information,
click here
to visit the Tune In Tune Out website. |
Bank of I.D.E.A.S. recently coordinated another work project to Triloka to contribute to the rebuilding of the Village’s community hall. The seven person team joined over 30 villagers and staff of
the Lafaek Diak Foundation for 7 days.
Creating a ‘Friends of Triloka’ group is in the process, and if interested in becoming a part of an ongoing development project, contact Peter Kenyon at
pk@bankofideas.com.au.
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enlarge |
Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has been invited to provide consulting support for a major 3 year
Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) project in Malaysia involving 317 rural communities. Peter Kenyon recently spent time in Kuala Lumpar training potential facilitators and assisting with the directions of the project.
Bank of I.D.E.A.S. would welcome hearing from others applying ABCD methodologies in the Asia and Pacific regions.
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Thanks to Alan Grieg of the Mercury Group for sharing this great group in Griffith, NSW. Our Future is Local is an incorporated association established by passionate community members and business owners of Griffith who see the need for awareness, support and promotion of locally owned businesses for the the longevity of a strong healthy community. Love their slogan – “Put Your Money Where Your House Is”.
Click
here to check out their website. |
 Many thanks to Dr Judy Esmond
from More Volunteers for the following idea and quote:
Volunteer
Fun and Having a Laugh
Last week I spoke about taking the photos from your volunteer recognition event and making a photo board.
If you missed the idea you can read it on my blog
http://www.morevolunteers.com/blog. This week I have another 'fun' idea for you, your volunteers and other paid staff. Here we go...
Set up a 'have a laugh' bulletin board in a high traffic office location. Put up fun quotes, cartoons, sayings, stories and jokes. Change them regularly so that it doesn't become stale. Display it in a prominent place where visitors, staff, volunteers and clients can all take a moment to laugh.
Now different people find different things funny but if you monitor the board and follow the Readers Digest model for jokes, cartoons, etc you will be on fairly safe ground.
You will soon find that everyone will be stopping at the board to see what's new and have a laugh. Such a simple board and idea can change the entire office atmosphere and working environment.
Quote
'You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because
you stop laughing.' (Michael Pritchard)
The idea and quote are from Judy's best selling book 'Count On Me! 501 Ideas on Retaining, Recognizing and Rewarding Volunteers'.
Click here to visit Judy's website.
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‘Unite for Climate’ is a growing global online community of young people and organisations working together on youth powered solutions to climate change. It is designed to facilitate collaboration, coordination and resource sharing. Their website showcase youth initiatives and a clearinghouse of campaigns that users can easily browse and join.
Click
here for more information or email them at
info@uniteforclimatechange.org.
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This year’s theme is ‘Sustainability: Our Challenge, Our Future’. Why not think of organising an event on that day.
Click here for more information. |
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Since our last Newsletter, Bank of I.D.E.A.S. welcomes new subscribers from
Canada, China, Denmark, East Timor, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mozambique, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vanuatu and from all Australian states and territories. In total, the Newsletter is now read by people in 78
different countries. |
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Below is the copyleft statement regarding the use of Bank of I.D.E.A.S. resources. Copyleft Policy
Resources of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S., either in full or in part, can be copied, quoted, reprinted, given away or circulated. Parts may be torn out, extracted and enhanced. In short, all resources are public property. Please use in any way to build the skills and knowledge of citizens in building healthier communities and more vibrant local economies.
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