Speaking at the first TransTasman Mainstreet Conference, staged recently in Melbourne, keynote speaker and Director of Bank of IDEAS, Peter Kenyon, told delegates that in times of change it is the learners who will inherit the future.
“Those who believe they have finished learning soon find themselves living in a very different world,” he said. “Smart communities are encouraging their people to ‘go over the hill’, to learn and share with others both within Australia and overseas. “Why recreate the wheel when all you need to do is reshape ideas to meet your own needs, and it is conferences such as this that are an excellent starting point.”
Peter Kenyon said that the Mainstreet program, which was first launched in the USA in 1977, has been instrumental in rekindling many small communities and downtown areas.
“It clearly establishes the importance of a sense of place in economic development initiatives,” he said. “Mainstreet programs bring traders together and strengthen community involvement.”
Describing the basis of Mainstreet as being organisation, design, heritage conservation, business development and promotion, Peter Kenyon said the key is bringing together community and economic development.
“It must be inside out and a bottom up approach with communities coming together to see what they can do to enhance economic life, create jobs and improve local amenity,” he said. “People are the key. Each community has within it the people to drive and make things happen.”
Peter Kenyon said that the following factors are what make the difference between a healthy and unhealthy community.
- broadbased participation
- inclusiveness
- local ownership
- collaboration
- a ‘can do’ approach
- focusing on assets not deficiencies
- leadership renewal
“Don’t forget about involving youth in your Mainstreet committees,” he said. “Young people bring fresh ideas and relate easily with others. Engage them as active citizens today.”
