Wildlife Conservation Society’s Post

As cultural heritage practitioners, when we talk about the 'power of community', we mean gaining and harnessing community support, and moving in tandem towards shared ideals. #culturecatchup Ahead of our public history talks, you can read more about community engagement here: https://lnkd.in/eE8esMwi

Today marks the launch of City Allies, a project that's incredibly close to my heart. After months of getting everything set up, it's ready to reach out to as many of you as possible. At City Allies, I'm embarking on an ethnographic journey—a deep dive into the lives, experiences, and stories of the City of London's workers and residents. I am on a quest to discover the heartbeat of the City. Your experiences, your insights, and your stories are the essence of London. It’s time they were heard! City Allies is all about bringing City People Together to work in allyship to create a more inclusive, supportive, and vibrant urban community. This project is my personal invitation to you to explore the City not as mere observers but as storytellers and listeners, unravelling the narratives that make the City of London what it is. It's about connecting through the power of stories, and understanding the lives that pulse within this urban landscape. City Allies springs from my own desire to shine a light on the vibrant mix of individuals who make this place buzz with life — people like you and me, who live and/or work here, shaping its identity every day. I don't know what to expect but I know it's going to be exciting. Join me on this journey. If you work or live in the City, reach out to me. Help me bring to light the fascinating stories of the people who keep the City thriving. If you are interested in volunteering for this initiative and enjoy social media management, meeting new people, gathering stories or organising fun events in the City, send me a PM. www.cityallies.london https://lnkd.in/egDdNCJM #CityAllies #Allyship #CityPeople #CityofLondon #Belonging #Storytelling #Inclusivity #Togetherness #CityPeopleTales #ChroniclesOfUrbanLife #CityWorkers #CityResidents

As you know we are so much more than mere property consultants, we are actually community builders and we take our jobs very seriously. Unfortunately some people bring their bad behavior with them when they arrive and left unchecked they completey destroy great communities. Well, we are not going to let that happen. #Italy #Italian #movetoitaly #propertypurchase #virtualpropertytours #ItalianProperty https://lnkd.in/gk6hFDCp

It's National Reconciliation Week, and now more than ever we need to open (or re-open), and nourish connections between First Nations Peoples and multicultural communities. Roads to Reconciliation: Activating Multicultural Communities are exactly one of the innovative and impactful programs that does this

Understanding the Cultural Divide: Bay Area vs Los Angeles Explore the differences in community support between the Bay Area and Los Angeles. As a cultural critic, I delve into the disparities and shed light on the issues affecting brown people in both regions. Join the conversation and let's bridge the gap together! #BayAreaVsLA #CulturalDivide #CommunitySupport #BrownPeopleMatters #BridgingTheGap #CulturalCriticism #DifferencesExposed #CommunityIssues #BridgingCommunities #BuildingConnections

Interesting article penned by our consulting project manager, tonderai chiyindiko. Dig in.

While there are countless avenues through which we communicate our differing perspectives in the world today, many of these platforms have become spaces where each individual remains in a feedback loop of like-minded beliefs. Our convictions are continually reinforced as correct and true, further limiting our willingness to listen to and consider others' views. As we all know, this breeds a dangerously volatile society. This is why the performing arts are crucial to the well being and prosperity of our communities, local and global alike. Whether as theater, comedy, or music, the performing arts bring together people from a wide scope of political, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds. An audience can be composed of people of all walks, each with their own beliefs, but all with their ears open and eyes wide, not to mention their guards down. With no explicit political agenda or social cause to be fought for or against, this makes for a tremendous opportunity for the tie that binds to reveal itself - our shared humanity. A comic's stand up set that has you laughing at the absurdity of a stance you thought was yours; a scene in a play that moves you to tears by its cruelty before you have time to judge the situation as justified; a musician's concert that leaves you beaming in sheer joy in a sea of people who look nothing like you, other than your shared smiles - these are just a few moments that the performing arts bring us that have the power to undeniably influence the way we see the world and our place within it. This power can inspire curiosity and exploration where a closed mind once lived and ultimately have us relating to those we had so readily dismissed as wrong or "other". We need the arts to help cultivate empathy and imagination, especially at a time when we are becoming more and more rigid in our points of view and alienated from one another. I have been fortunate enough to work with organizations, such as Brooklyn Academy of Music and now St. Ann's Warehouse, who boldly bring to their stages art that ignites the courage within us to question, reflect on, and change the way we share our world. Our current production at St. Ann's Warehouse, Dark Noon, is one of such evocative pieces, spawning impassioned conversations after every performance. Audience members can be heard grappling with the plurality of history and complexity of cultural identity while marveling at the awe-inspiring use of video, lighting, space and sound, not to mention the breathtaking performances. https://lnkd.in/enxf9aRR As the arts are often deemed frivolous and as a threat to the status quo, arts organizations and programs are often the first to lose funding by governments. Thanks to the following post from The Public Theater, it will take you less than a minute to implore our local government to think twice about defunding ours. #PerformingArts #NYCarts #ArtsProgramming #NonProfit #ArtsFunding

As designers we must consult the users and community when shaping an environment. Those early decisions can have a big impact on a project's turnout - not only in a communal sense but also the environmental sense. Often, we are the only link between decision makers and other key stakeholders. With great power comes great responsibility - use it wisely.

This #NationalNativeAmericanHeritageMonth, we are grateful for the advice and wisdom shared by Indigenous community members during recent projects: ▶️ Transportation is difficult in some Native communities. We need to address barriers to participating in public events. ▶️ Bring in Native organizations to advise. Invite speakers to share Native perspectives and knowledge. ▶️ Respect place-based knowledge. Listen to stories about the land. Build cultural competency regarding Indigenous history. ▶️ Keep asking, "What do Native people need?" These powerful reminders can lead to trails, streets, and public spaces that reflect the distinct needs and experiences of Indigenous peoples.

This brief highlights key learnings from research on issues facing the Native American community in California, and ways for community-based organizations to partner with Indigenous communities to best support them. It also provides a set of conclusions for First 5s and state and community leaders to consider as they work to be more inclusive and responsive to Native American families. Read the brief: https://ow.ly/BppH50PHZQZ #familyengagement