Local communities

Comment

Comment by David Wilcox on September 9, 2009 at 2:53pm

I've just blogged news of the workshop that the Social by Social team are running with DCLG on September 21.
If you can come, rsvp here.
Even if you can't make it, I hope you'll join the Local Communities Network and contribute ideas, requests. Thanks to those who have, and apologies if you are getting this update several times.

Comment by Paul Nash on July 31, 2009 at 7:27am

It’s self evident, you can’t have a knowledge economy without a knowledge society. Call it social justice, call it what you will but the fact remains that a knowledge economy on its own is unsustainable and really only serves the few. While I see this as self evident it was only when I read “The Rise of the Network Society” that I realised just how fundamental the knowledge society is. Witness the historic focus of innovation efforts on Universities and Science Parks and the trickle of innovative larvae that emerge, dry in the sun and then disappear abroad or onto the shelves of some corporate body to wither and die whilst they sweat their current assets. (That’s almost poetry)

I am, by nature, cynical. This comes across as negativity. Actually, I’m not negative at all, quite the opposite. Part of this is a willingness to put up an idea and be happy for it to be knocked down in the interests of moving a discussion forwards. I find that, often, people think that an idea has to be put forward and then defended to the hilt. That way, the understanding never moves from that point. It’s okay if you move away from that idea and then come back to it – but to defend it irrespective of its merits is, to my way of thinking, barking.

Given the above, you might be surprised to know that I’m supportive of the UK Government’s initiatives on digital inclusion. Cynicism would suggest that it’s a sop to current trends – what MLF referred to as the new Punk, the other day – but it’s one of the most joined up, best thought through things I’ve ever come across! Now, I suppose that it might just be one great big accidental convergence of “stuff” but I don’t think so.

Where am I going with this, you ask? Well, it’s understanding why gov.uk has been putting so much time and effort into this agenda, and why it’s driven here by government and communities and not, until very recently, by the commercial sector as in the US.

There are at least four elements of policy and legislation that are relevant here: The 2007 Local Government Act which set out the legal requirement for Local Authorities to “Involve, Consult and Inform”. Empowering Communities, Participatory Budgeting, and The Power of Information (and no, I haven’t got round to reading the review yet, but I will). There is a raft of other stuff which underpins this but these are the main ones. The thinking that is fundamental to some of this is inspired by Hippel’s work on innovation which in turn feeds into the “We Think” philosophy (can you call it a philosophy?)

What I’m saying is that the policy can be seen to be driving democracy back down to the street, where it belongs. Of course, what happens is that those who hold power, both commercial and political want to keep it. This means that they respond in a number of ways. Commercial organisations will resort to tokenism and we all know that the internet is littered with companies that have failed to understand the impact of joined up consumer power. Politics is slightly different. In order to resist the shift in the balance of power organisations respond in different ways. One of the most frequent is denial, carry on as if nothing is changing. Another one is tokenism, where local authorities ask for your response on the “official” web site. Then there is the tick box culture where everything is compartmentalised – usually in IT or some Beacon project – and then the rest of the organisation carries on as before but when asked about engagement with communities they will parade “the project” and then put it away until needed. In case of awkward questions, break glass, take out project, wave vigorously.

So, where have I ended up? Social Media and Local Communities hold the potential for delivering, for some people, a voice. A clear, loud, democratic voice. Social Media is not just the new punk. Whilst commercial interests are catching up and it is becoming mainstream we have to keep in mind that there is a fundamental driver behind digital inclusion that is the empowerment of communities to participate in a democracy. The knowledge society must underpin the knowledge economy, drive service delivery, revive grass roots innovation, but most of all, give power to the people.

Comment by Howard J Moorey on July 31, 2009 at 4:37am

Looking to help create local, connected, communities - looks like this is the place to do it! Glad to have found you! I am working with businesses of all sizes to help them understand & use the benefits of digital engagement to survive right now and thrive in the future. Firm believer that we must have a broadband network in the UK, and anywhere else so far not covered, that works!

Comment by David Wilcox on July 30, 2009 at 10:16pm

Hi Jessica - thanks so much for adding real value: i.e. jobs! I think this could be great market place for ideas, projects and individual opportunities. Thanks for getting us started down that route.

Comment by Jessica Medling on July 30, 2009 at 6:42pm

meant to say at the end - "social technology discussion forum" :-)

Comment by Jessica Medling on July 30, 2009 at 5:58pm

David - thank you for the invite! and hello all - this is a quick initial greeting and introduction - most topically of the Media Trust team working on delivering Community Voices (formerly Digital Mentors).

Thank you to all of you in this forum who have already been contributing to Community Voices (A lot of familiar names, even if we haven't met yet). A brief update on what's been taking place recently at our end, aside from the consultation and research that most of you have been involved with:

- Community Voices Team Vacancies - we are recruiting!

- Community Voices Survey - if you know of anyone who would like to have their say, please share freely - the closing date for the survey is 7th August.

Other than that, looking forward to continuing / kicking off our various conversations with you regarding Community Voices, and to sharing in this broader social discussion discussion forum.

Comment by Julie Harris on July 23, 2009 at 10:47pm

Here at COSMIC we are entering an exciting new era - developing a number of project side-by-side to look closely at new roles in using ICT to support our business objectives and local communites - Digital Mentors, Community Reporters, Social Enterprise Leaders and now some work in Eco-ICT and Low Carbon ... very exciting time. Interested to hear from others keen to share experiences and anyone who might like to support our work too.

Comment by Paul Webster on July 23, 2009 at 6:01pm

... oh and not re-inventing the wheel. Where tried and tested living examples and demonstrator projects exist we'd like ro look at ways they can be packaged and replicated in other communities presenting the same needs. Think i'm done for now!

Comment by Libby Davy on July 23, 2009 at 6:00pm

Just want to make it very clear - I am pushing integration of online/offline. Using the right tool/process at the right time, and not foisting digital when something else will suffice.

Also, generally, looking to have online support the growth of face-to-face (a better word than offline surely).

After good chat with Diva Becky Faith from Tactical Tech Collective - am also tracking the digital bullying issue. Why should be pushed to everything online!!! Backlash a coming... and rightly so me thinks.

Digital Health also constantly on my radar.

Comment by Paul Webster on July 23, 2009 at 5:59pm

Hi
I think I know the names and faces in the ante-room here!

Same as I was before - trucking away at helping local support providers understand new, AND old tech, how it helps them work more efficiently and so how they can support communities more effectively.

We are interested in sharing ideas on anything from how to make technical support work for small community groups who can't afford to pay, through to showing CVS senior managers what Twitter is all about.

www.ictchampions.org.uk should fill in other gaps

Open and ready to share!

Paul

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page