Community quality - the application of ARL to community development

摘要

This presentation focuses on a strategy to apply the ARL (Action Reflection Learning) methodology to Community Development and Community Quality projects. Two fundamental issues that now confront American communities are the focus of analysis: 1) The Silo Phenomenon, where a steadily increasing number of Americans are choosing to live in culturally homogenous, isolated communities; and 2) The Stranger Phenomenon, where every aspect of American life and community is now being visited by 'strangers' - people with different points of origin, different cultural roots and attitudes, different belief systems and social practices. Both of these phenomena are putting pressure on the quality of community life and experience across the nation. Yet both also offer ways for American individuals and communities to regain their vitality - and to re-explore the old American value of inclusion as a source of meaning.