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Re: Sustainability process approach
2005-12-02 01:44:11 UTC
How many have heard of the Heros Journey and applied it to the society in which we live? Very quickly and probably inaccurately the heros journey was an analysis of heroic adventure novels to determine what made a character a hero rather than just an also-ran character in the story. The theory says that the hero journeys through a range of relationships with others dependent, independent, and interdependent. The critical element that makes a hero is the transition to interdependence, the sharing of spoils and benefits with his/her community. If you take it and run, a hero you are not! In exploring this concept in community engagement focussed training courses it is often observed that different societies promote different levels. In really broad terms these often fall out as China promotes dependence on the State, USA promotes the challenge and importance of independence and the individual, and Australias mateship and fair go aligns with an interdependent perspective on the world. Whatever is actually true (and I think recent political rhetoric and action here in Australia contradicts the above to some extent), how people view their relationship with others and the need to consider others, probably plays a big part in their capacity to think-the-thoughts of sustainability. Therefore in order to build a communitys readiness and ability to engage in sustainable behaviour it might be a good idea to develop the strength and capacity of that community through such processes as shared-interest networks, develop the fabric of communitys ability to work together, rather than trying to convince one individual at a time to change their lifestyle. Blanket communication to whole-of-community is in fact targeting the individual, standing alone in a crowd. Working with community networks and groups we are working with interdependent and trusting collectives much more likely to motivate and support its members to change, together. I think this aligns with the CBSM communication principle of using advocates and communicators that have the authority and respect of the community to speak to them. It is important to me to be seen as responsible by others who I feel are important. It also aligns with other behaviour theories that say that the opinion of respected others and their desire to see particular behaviour as normal behaviour within a community is an important driver in developing beliefs held by individuals that underpin the development of an intent-to-act. Out of all of that I think that real progress can be made on sustainability where we concentrate our efforts on assisting communities to build their capacity to work together to achieve outcomes that they believe in. We need also to bring the behaviour change required down to human scale lets not talk about the need to change the world, but about the specific achievable behaviours that I as an individual can make that will make a difference to an identifiable issue. And that of course is where Community-based Social Marketing comes into its own. So when we say the world should become sustainable, what specific behaviours would you see as essential if that is to be achieved, or we are to move towards that? What community networks exist or can be developed that would support that behaviour change? How ready is the community to take on this idea and how can we build their readiness to engage? Then what CBSM tools and strategies can we apply in regard to specific behaviours? Step by step the longest march can be done.
Andrew Smith
Phone: 6233 2836
Mobile: 0419361876
Fax: (03) 6223 8603
Postal: GPO Box 44,
HOBART 7001 Tasmania -
Encouraging and Recognising Urban Gardens for Habitat
2005-10-06 19:20:57 UTC
Hello listserve members,
In Tasmania we are looking at developing a program that recognises gardeners who consider and encourage wildlife to use their gardens (Gardens for Wildlife working title). The primary aims are to identify that attitude and behaviour as desirable and normal (norms), make that behaviour visible (diffusion), encourage others to do the same, so that nature conservation is seen as much more "in my backyard" physically and philosophically. There are a whole heap of other behaviours that can be fostered and grow form this program - chemical-free gardening, water conservation, conversion to native plants, protection of remnant native forests in parklands and so on. There are some obvious CBSM elements to go into this program (norms, prompts, commitments). I am however keen to hear about anyone who has done barrier and benefits surveying for behaviour and motivations related to environmentally-friendly gardening. Can anyone point me to papers/reports on this research more so than examples of programs?
Cheers
Andrew Smith
Manager Community Partnerships
Resource Management & Conservation Division
DPIWE Tasmania
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