The Standards Council for CLD will, in partnership with others, play a lead role in establishing a backdrop where practitioners can develop their skills and work with communities and learners of all ages to the benefit of these communities. This field of practice deserves the equivalent support that colleagues across the lifelong learning spectrum currently receive- it is long overdue. The recognition that CLD approaches are core in so many more settings than ever before is a backhanded and insufficiently recognised compliment. Local people do know better, voluntary organisations do deliver top end services and community ownership, in its many guises is going to develop the opportunities that are available through levels of government
Co delivery, co operation, collaboration, co responsibility, co- munities mingled with a touch of humility from those in lead roles and a heightened belief in the potential of people to rise to the real challenges will make our learning communities even more vibrant and supportive than they already are.
Developed mutual respect and belief across our sector for our sector can replace a less than attractive attitude that at times is destructive.
We should Co Co....
1 Comment/s
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Recognising, promoting and celebrating the different approaches in different sectors is beneficial. In a way we need to enable people to recognise when they are using CLD techniques.
I think there are often competing challenges within the Third Sector. Not so long ago many of the large social enterprises were trying to detatch themselves from the wider community and voluntary sector. The emphasis was on profit making albeit for social benefit.
There was almost a reluctance in the sector to talk about communities or community development. In fact there are many examples where in an efort to mimic 'business like' behaviours many organisations removed things like user involvement from their day to day practices.
It's difficult however to think of any social enterprises that don't rely in some way or other on public contracts or funding.
Now that public spending is under serious threat there is a need for all third sector organisations to get back in touch with their community roots (geographical or interest). To do this organisations need to recognise and value the CLD opportunities. A whole re-think on the role and make-up of Boards/Committees would be a good starting point, where there is lots of scope to really build capacity of the Board, the organisation and engage with the wider community.
~ Tila Wed Jul 21 12:26:03 BST 2010
