On 27 March 2009, Inspiring Communities hosted a workshop that brought together people and places from across the Auckland Region who were keen to talk, share and learn more about community-led development.

Around 80 people from a range of community and government agencies, funders and academic institutions attended the half day session. Topics covered included the a presentation about the Project Twin Streams story, followed by inspiration from Tamarack's Mark Cabaj who focused on 'Neighbourhood Development in Uncertain Times'.

The workshop kicked off with Jenny Chilcott, Rochana Sheward and April Nicholson's powerful presentation on "Working Together for Healthy Streams and Strong Communities" - the Project Twin Streams (PTS) story. A partnership between Waitakere City Council and six community organisations in the Opanuku, Oratia and Swanson water catchments. It links the local environment, local people and community wellbeing and is a fantastic example of a sustainable community development approach that really supports local people leading. For more information see the website. www.projectwinstreams.org.nz.

Next on the agenda was Mark Cabaj's fascinating talk on 'Neighbourhood Development in Uncertain Times'. Mark was quick to highlight that neighbourhood development is a growing movement internationally right now. He reinforced the view that multi-sectoral, collaborative approaches that value, empower and strengthen resident-led voices and action are key. Having worked on, and learnt from, a range of neighbourhood initiatives in Canada, Mark's presentation honed in on seven major areas to focus on when building from the neighbourhood up.

Mark told lots of great stories! For example, in Chicago following the big heatwave in 1995, hugely different mortality rates between two adjoining neighbourhoods North and South Lawndale actually came down to social capital, neighbourhood design and life. Things like people knowing their neighbours, having support networks that quickly responded in times of crisis, and knowing that if fire hydrants were kicked down to give water to those on ground level that the older adults living high up on the fifth floor of apartment buildings would perish. These were key factors in why North Lawndale had a mortality rate 6 times lower than neighbouring South Lawndale.

In another Chicago story, a local medical centre was seen as not delivering effective healthcare for local people, so they self organised and 'captured' roles on the board. New community leadership took a fresh look at the "high number and high cost" cases - which included car accidents, dog bites and bronchial issues. Rather than continue to fix problems, they worked on some community solutions - paying local children to catch the town's stray dogs; growing and supplying fruit and vegetables for seniors to help build immunity to bronchial issues, and analysing where vehicle accidents were happening and working with local authorities to get it sorted. And yes, there were marked reductions in traffic accident injuries and dog bites presenting at the A&E as a result!

Here are just a few memorable quotes from Mark's presentation.......

We need to learn, not spend, our way out of this"

"There will be failures along the way - we need to make them smart failures, always asking ourselves what did we learn?"

"In the times ahead we need to be courageous not brave - brave is about having no fear; being courageous is about acknowledging the fear and going ahead anyway"

Megan Courtney