Comments on: New challenges for a new Fellowship http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/thersa/new-challenges-for-a-new-fellowship/ Politics, brains, social action and the day to day life of the RSA’s chief executive Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:15:48 +0000 hourly 1 By: Marcello Palazzi http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/thersa/new-challenges-for-a-new-fellowship/comment-page-1/#comment-3426 Marcello Palazzi Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:33:50 +0000 http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/?p=1331#comment-3426 Common Purpose has been quite successful in engaging leaders from across sectors. Next step is to move from engagement to action. Common Purpose could be a partner in those locations where their networks of leaders are strongest. Other innovations are needed and the experience of other countries, such as Switzerland or Denmark is key. Strong, independent local government is a huge advantage. In Switzerland, 800 years of local democracy, provides the local social capital and leadership. Unfortunately, local government in the UK has been undermined, with the exception of devolution to Scotland and Wales. Perhaps, appointing a new kind of public actor, a kind of local strategic leader with a brief to coordinate, support and engage citizens' initiatives could be a fast-track move to recreate local civic entrepreneurship. I sense there are some unique individuals with the mix of skills to take on such a role, ie leadership, entrepreneurship, commitment to the public good, service orientation (as opposed to exercising their egos as local CEOs !). Ashoka, for example, has a well-defined and tested approach to identify strategic social entrepreneurs and secures some funding to ensure their independence from vested interests. Common Purpose has been quite successful in engaging leaders from across sectors. Next step is to move from engagement to action. Common Purpose could be a partner in those locations where their networks of leaders are strongest.

Other innovations are needed and the experience of other countries, such as Switzerland or Denmark is key. Strong, independent local government is a huge advantage. In Switzerland, 800 years of local democracy, provides the local social capital and leadership. Unfortunately, local government in the UK has been undermined, with the exception of devolution to Scotland and Wales. Perhaps, appointing a new kind of public actor, a kind of local strategic leader with a brief to coordinate, support and engage citizens’ initiatives could be a fast-track move to recreate local civic entrepreneurship. I sense there are some unique individuals with the mix of skills to take on such a role, ie leadership, entrepreneurship, commitment to the public good, service orientation (as opposed to exercising their egos as local CEOs !). Ashoka, for example, has a well-defined and tested approach to identify strategic social entrepreneurs and secures some funding to ensure their independence from vested interests.

]]> By: Marcello Palazzi http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/thersa/new-challenges-for-a-new-fellowship/comment-page-1/#comment-3425 Marcello Palazzi Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:18:50 +0000 http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/?p=1331#comment-3425 Matthew, excellent conversation. From the perspective of "civic enterprise", a term and practices I wrote about first 20 years ago and the experience in 30 countries since, engaging communities in effective initiatives consistently, continuously and systematically is a systemic challenge. It needs the engagement of strategic government (?) or catalytic philanthropy or even socially- engaged corporations (John Lewis and other partnerships) as co-hosts or co-anchors of individual and collective citizens action. ASHOKA, for example, is using a collaborative teams of Ashoka Fellows anchored within a foundation or a corporation that provides the continuity, some resources and the consistency over time. Perhaps identifying a number of such anchor organizations up and down the country, and the appropriate individual leaders within, is a way forward. Marcello Palazzi, Progressio Foundation, Netherlands Matthew, excellent conversation. From the perspective of “civic enterprise”, a term and practices I wrote about first 20 years ago and the experience in 30 countries since, engaging communities in effective initiatives consistently, continuously and systematically is a systemic challenge. It needs the engagement of strategic government (?) or catalytic philanthropy or even socially- engaged corporations (John Lewis and other partnerships) as co-hosts or co-anchors of individual and collective citizens action. ASHOKA, for example, is using a collaborative teams of Ashoka Fellows anchored within a foundation or a corporation that provides the continuity, some resources and the consistency over time. Perhaps identifying a number of such anchor organizations up and down the country, and the appropriate individual leaders within, is a way forward.

Marcello Palazzi, Progressio Foundation, Netherlands

]]> By: Damian Radcliffe http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/thersa/new-challenges-for-a-new-fellowship/comment-page-1/#comment-1812 Damian Radcliffe Tue, 12 May 2009 12:01:55 +0000 http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/?p=1331#comment-1812 Good post and comments - it all feeds into something I'm working on and I'd be very happy to chat and explore ideas therein (diaries permitting!). Good post and comments – it all feeds into something I’m working on and I’d be very happy to chat and explore ideas therein (diaries permitting!).

]]> By: matthewtaylor http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/thersa/new-challenges-for-a-new-fellowship/comment-page-1/#comment-1222 matthewtaylor Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:17:32 +0000 http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/?p=1331#comment-1222 Thanks Eamonn. Did you see the interesting Guardian supplement about public engagement earlier this week? Thanks Eamonn. Did you see the interesting Guardian supplement about public engagement earlier this week?

]]> By: Eamonn Collins http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/thersa/new-challenges-for-a-new-fellowship/comment-page-1/#comment-1215 Eamonn Collins Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:27:17 +0000 http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/?p=1331#comment-1215 An interesting and heartening debate; I am developing a project for local internet-tv stations, based on a social enterprise model, and it's great to see so many people thinking along similar lines. I would urge anyone who wants to see greater public investment in this area to comment on the Government's Digital Britain Report. You can post comments online here: http://www.digitalbritainforum.org.uk/ An interesting and heartening debate; I am developing a project for local internet-tv stations, based on a social enterprise model, and it’s great to see so many people thinking along similar lines. I would urge anyone who wants to see greater public investment in this area to comment on the Government’s Digital Britain Report. You can post comments online here: http://www.digitalbritainforum.org.uk/

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