John Forester contends that no formula for effective engagement exists.2
How
could it when every locality, with its own histories, environments and politics,
is home to a host of unique relationships? Intuitively and methodologically,
we need to examine the differences and emotions that keep people in opposition
and we need to provide opportunities to build something new and unexpected.
We also need to create open spaces where we can have the types
of conversations that will bring people (especially those who tend to remain
uninvited in traditional processes) close enough to engage together with an
issue. The stories in this book traverse the edge because of the desire to move
from paralysis to action, from isolation to friendship and from homogeneous
to polyphonic.
work, our homes and our
social circles change colour
and shape. These changes
offer us, as community engagement
practitioners, an
invitation to re-evaluate our
work – to continue the work
of bridging our relationships
with ourselves, with others
and with our environments.
For us, creativity is the necessary
work of evolving
community engagement
practice using methods that
honour people’s individual and collective knowledge about their lives and
their environments.