I agree with Lauri's emphasis on civic engagement rather than
community participation.

In a recent blog post, I made the following point: "Most low-income
groups realize that electoral and democratic reform must be our top
priority - so that WE get to have our say, and are enabled to
participate more in decision-making and influence the political
process."

When I was Coordinator of WISE, our NUMBER ONE goal was democratic and
electoral reform. It wasn't affordable housing, more shelters, or more
money for food banks.

Until everyone truly is enabled to influence his/her political
environment, nothing substantive will change. The powers-that-be will
still have control and THEIR priorities will prevail, not those of the
people. In the meantime, those of us who know better will continue
spinning our wheels and preaching to the converted. The latter may be
self-validating, but it gets us nowhere.

Ocean

-- 
WISE Book - Policies of Exclusion, Poverty & Health: Stories from the front
Podcast Channel: http://bcseawalker.podbean.com/
Personal Blog: Challenging the Commonplace - and other irreverent activities
http://challengingthecommonplace.blogspot.com/


On Tue, May 27, 2008 at 9:50 AM, Lauri Andress
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Mike I have done some work on the concept of community participation versus
> civic engagement and how it affects the SDOH.  I have a short briefing on
> civic engagement that I would be glad to send-excerpt below.  Civic
> engagement is a much more potent lever for health inequities than just
> simple community participation.
>
> My research indicates that what you want from communities is civic
> engagement as opposed to community participation.  Further, if you use the
> words community participation you get  a response from people that focuses
> mostly on community service as opposed to civic and democratic practices.  I
> have conducted some research on this topic as well that I would  be glad to
> share.
>
> .................The goals of civic capacity have an aim towards decreasing
> the psychosocial effects of powerlessness, social exclusion, lack of
> autonomy, and decreased community involvement.  Further, enhanced civic
> capacity helps to expand a narrow public policy agenda that may be
> representative of the interests of groups that have disproportionate amounts
> of power and influence.
>
> In summary, research and a growing consensus demonstrate that civic capacity
> in communities experiencing health inequities has long-term positive
> impacts  via two routes:  1) through the achievement of a more equitable
> public policy agenda, and 2) by way of improvements in individual and
> community health.
>
> --
> Lauri Andress, MPH, J.D., Ph.D.
> Managing Partner
> Andress & Associates, LLC
> Bridging the Health Gap
> [log in to unmask]
> 713-553-8192

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