According to Peter Kenyon, Director of Bank of IDEAS (Initiatives for the Development of Enterprising Action and Strategies), it is all about going back to basics when it comes to building healthy and enterprising communities.
“Local Government is the most significant level of government, for it is the level that people have the most interaction with,” Peter Kenyon told delegates at the National General Assembly.
Drawing upon his own experiences from working with many diverse communities, he reminded delegates to ‘walk the talk’ and to embrace and reflect on change.
“I am excited by the fact that many people are keen to engage their efforts on community renewal,” he said.
He provided delegates with his ‘10 Point Portrait of Healthy and Enterprising Communities’, commencing with the understanding and acceptance of change within communities.
“This is the greatest challenge for rural communities,” he said.
Among other things, Peter Kenyon encouraged broad based participation, social connectedness and the diversity of thinking. He emphasised the importance of continuous dialogue with the community, as well as a good leadership base.
“How we link and treat each other is becoming important,” he said. “Local Government is a catalyst for people to give back to the community.”
Stressing that local investment and local ownership are also important factors to a healthy and enterprising community, Peter Kenyon advocated the involvement of the young people within the community.
“We need to create opportunities for young people to return.”
Lastly, Peter presented delegates with this lasting thought from John Schaar, “The future is not a place to which we are going, it is a place we are creating. The paths to the future are not found, but made and the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination.”
