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Community Engagement

Community Engagement. What is Community Engagement?.

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Community Engagement

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  1. Community Engagement

  2. What is Community Engagement? • Community engagement refers to the process by which community benefit organisations and individuals build ongoing, permanent relationships for the purpose of applying a collective vision for the benefit of a community. While community organising involves the process of building a grassroots movement involving communities, community engagement primarily deals with the practice of moving said communities towards change, usually from a stalled or otherwise similarly suspended position. (Wikipedia) • Community engagement is “people working collaboratively, through inspired action and learning, to create and realize bold visions for their common future.” (Tamarack, 2003) • Community engagement is “an ongoing interactive process characterized by commitment to ever-changing community needs and interests”. (Industry Canada, 2002) • Community engagement is about members of a community participating in the decisions and actions that help to shape their community. (Fraser Basin Council, 2003) • The purpose of community engagement is to involve the public in decisions that will ultimately affect their lives. This requires interaction and communication between citizens, scientists and policy-makers. (Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, 2003)

  3. What’s needed? Whenever a group of practitioners gather to discuss 'what is engagement,' a discussion about diversity of language usually emerges. Depending on the situation in which you are working, 'engagement' can cover consultation, extension, communication, education, public participation, participative democracy or working in partnership.(Dept of Environment and Primary Industries – State Government of Victoria) • Purpose • Common Language • Common Understanding • Authorising Environment • Knowledge and Relationships

  4. Why engage community? • Increased capacity • Community Building • Community Strengthening • Strengthened Relationships • Better Service Integration • Internal • External • Whole of community approach

  5. Communities for Children • Funded under the Commonwealth Governments Family Support Program • Focus on Children, Families and Community • Addresses the needs of children 0-12 years and their families to give children the very best start in life. • Focus on the connectedness within the whole community using a partnership approach. • Focus on Community Development and sustainability • Place Based

  6. Background Communities for Children uses a collaborative approach to achieve better outcomes for children 0 – 12 years and their families It recognises the importance of flexible, responsive planning and project management. Is responsive in planning and reviewing to take into account changing community needs. Allows for tailored approaches at the local level and provides communities with the opportunity to develop flexible and innovative approaches that best reflect their circumstances. Uses a whole of community approach to build on and support what is existing within the community

  7. Communities for ChildrenStrategies • 5 Key Strategies • Healthy Young Families Strategy • Community and Family Support Strategy • Play and Learn Strategy • Child Friendly Communities Strategy • Creating Stronger Connections Strategy

  8. Communities for Children • Activities and Programs Include: • Mobile Family Connections • Play session and information provisions in local parks • Making Moments • Working with families with young children providing early intervention home visiting and centre based parenting groups • Confident Parenting • Family fun activities and a range of workshops and open groups presented as information and skill development on a range of topics including: child development, nutrition and parenting • Boyz Biz • Life skills and mentor program • Child Friendly Charter • Creating child friendly environments within community and service settings

  9. Challenges • Common Language • ‘Silo’ or patch protecting • Time/capacity • Community knowledge and relationships • Different ways of thinking and working • Embedding into practice

  10. Key Messages • Relationships • Environment • Child participation • Common purpose • Knowledge and understanding • Recognising outcomes – even the little ones

  11. Contact Details:Sue ChristophersSenior Manager Community Engagementschristophers@anglicare-sa.org.au Thank you

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