Hville Blast’s Post

🔍 New Article: "CIVIC TRUST: WHAT’S IN A CONCEPT?" 📚 In a world where trust in institutions seems to be at an all-time low, how do we rebuild civic trust? ➡️A good starting point includes understanding how to measure it. 📏 💻 See article at: https://lnkd.in/eYn6Jrij Andrew Zahuranec, Oscar Romero, and Kim Ochilo) 🤔 Despite the critical role of civic trust in maintaining the fabric of our communities and democracies, there's a surprising gap and lack of a common approach to defining and measuring trust 🤝 We've partnered with the NYC Civic Engagement Commission to develop a pioneering mapping of civic trust metrics. 🌍💡 We're seeking to understand the different layers of what comprises civic trust 🌿 So far, we have identified three types of metrics: 1️⃣ Descriptive metrics: baseline indicators for assessing the confidence that individuals have in the institutions, systems, and processes that govern their lives. 2️⃣ Diagnostic Metrics: indicators that reveal the underlying factors influencing the current state of civic trust, offering insights into both individual and societal characteristics 3️⃣ Evaluative metrics: indicators that focus on the outcomes and behaviors that stem from civic trust. This looks at how civic trust impacts individual and collective engagement with civic systems. 🗣️ Over the coming weeks, we’ll aim to revise and deepen this framework through a series of meetings with the #newyorkcity government, community representatives, and other experts. If you have any thoughts or reflections, we encourage you to reach out to share your understanding of what civic trust entails. #CivicTrust #CommunityEngagement #TrustMetrics #GovLab #NYC #Democracy #Innovation #Research

#SocialStudies #Concept Civic Engagement Individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern https://lnkd.in/gU6e7m45

🔍 **Balancing Power in City Governance** 🔍 Why do some city governments excel in upholding citizens' rights while others falter? The answer lies in leadership, culture, and accountability. Cities led by transparent, ethical leaders foster a culture of respect for citizens' voices. Robust systems of checks and balances, active public engagement, and strong legal frameworks further ensure officials remain accountable. Conversely, cities with weak oversight and leadership focused on control often see rights violations. Public pressure and historical context also play crucial roles. Cities with active, informed communities and a history of civil rights activism are better at protecting citizens' rights. Understanding these dynamics helps us advocate for ethical governance and transparency, ensuring our democratic institutions remain robust. #CityGovernance #CitizensRights #Transparency #Accountability #Democracy #EthicalLeadership #PublicEngagement #CivicResponsibility

The recording of last week's event is finally ready! Design Methods for Social Justice - Panel Discussion chaired by Dr. Silvia Grimaldi   The third event in this year's Service Futures Lab Public Event series is a roundtable discussion chaired by Dr. Silvia Grimaldi, focussing on how we design for social justice.   Speakers from industry and academia will present short case studies of their work and explain how they adjusted their design approaches, practices and methods to focus on social justice.  Case study presentations will be followed by a roundtable discussion about design approaches, practices and methods.   The premise of the event is that design is not neutral, and traditional western approaches, design tools and practices can reinforce existing power structures and social injustices. So the question is: Is it possible to start addressing this imbalance through the ways in which we practice design? Are there any design approaches, practices and methods that help to focus on social justice during the design process? How do these approaches, practices and methods work in different contexts? and how responsive do the designers need to be when applying these?   Our panellists are:   Jenny Winfield, Head of Research, Chayn, who will be talking about Chayn’s trauma informed design principles and how to research with those.   Hannah Jump, Senior Service Designer at HM Courts and Tribunals Service, who will be talking about how she’s trying to design for social justice in internal and external facing ways at HM Court and Tribunal Service.   Dr. Alison Prendiville, Professor of Service Design at LCC UAL, who will be talking about Tools she developed to acknowledge multiple knowledge forms while working on the field on antimicrobial resistance in India.   Ivor Williams, Lead Product Designer at Accurx, who will be talking about designing hospices for children with a focus on play and connection with nature.   Megha Wadhawan, Design Lead TPXimpact, who will be talking about how design shapes the social, and how the social shapes design, through service patterns and citizen assemblies.   Becca Dove, Head of Family Early Help, London Borough of Camden, who is the only non-designer on the panel, will be reflecting on a collaborative design project we ran together a few years ago from her perspective as a public servant, and the impact this has had on the services within Camden. Recorded at: London College of Communication, University of the Arts London , 18 April 2024 (apologies for the poor video resolution in the panel discussion session!) https://lnkd.in/dbrEtJJh

As our heads spin the week after NM's short legislative session ends, I am again reminded of the importance of civic engagement. Advocating for inclusive policies and driving social change have been central themes throughout my career. Each interaction with policy leaders has provided valuable insights into shaping equitable systems and amplifying underrepresented voices. Let's connect if you're passionate about advancing policy initiatives for a more just society! #PolicyAdvocacy #SocialJustice #EquitablePolicies

Accountability. It's a single word, but one that carries significant weight and is an inherent part of building and maintaining strong, meaningful relationships. This is not exclusive to individuals but is also vital in the context of cultural and civic institutions forming authentic relationships with the communities they serve. As public entities, these institutions have an obligation to their communities to uphold their commitments, act responsibly, and make decisions that align with the community's best interests. When institutions practice accountability, they demonstrate their dedication to the community, ultimately strengthening their relationship and fostering trust. Yet, the mention of it often leads to discomfort. But why? Why does the notion of accountability make us squirm and feel uneasy? Read our latest blog to dive deeper into what accountability truly represents https://bit.ly/3R0EP1I #AccountabilityMatters #BuildingTrust #AuthenticRelationships #CommunityFirst #EmbraceAccountability

Proud to be featured in Democracy as Creative Practice: Weaving a Culture of Civic Life, a collection of essays edited by Tom Borrup, Ph.D. and Andrew Zitcer to be published by Routledge before the end of the third quarter of 2024 as part of their Community Development Research and Practice Series. The 34 contributing writers, who hail from seven different countries, describe their work as artists, activists, curators, and teachers applying creative and cultural practices in deliberate efforts to build democratic ways of working and interacting in their communities – practices desperately called for in the current political and social climate.    Myself and Elizabeth Cho (LA Commons’ incredible Partnerships Program Manager) contributed a chapter titled “Creating Our Next LA: Animating Powerful Congregation-Based Campaigns for Justice,” adding to this dynamic discussion that is centered on how creative practices are integrated in place-based actions, aesthetic strategies, learning environments, and civic processes.    As long-time champions and observers of community-based creative and cultural practices, Borrup and Zitcer hope to elucidate this work – work that not only responds to socio-political conditions, but advances the practice. They call on artists, funders, cultural organizations, community groups, educational institutions, government, and others to engage in and support this work that fosters a culture of democracy: ways of interacting, organizing, and working in communities to strengthen democracy at its roots. There is no more important work right now!

Let’s give it up for our 2023 #AllInAwards winners! These civic champions work day in and day out to support students and their community around nonpartisan democratic engagement. Learn more about the winners in this Forbes piece: https://lnkd.in/gvfrcV8w

Have you read our issue paper on the importance of quality housing in Pittsburgh? This is the second in a series of YWCA Greater Pittsburgh issue papers that describes one of today’s most critical issues facing women, their children and families: access to affordable, quality and stable housing. Check it out at ywcapgh.org and register for our virtual May 15 Action Conversation on Race: Housing Justice at ywcapgh.org/conversations!

Building relationships with legislators is an important aspect of civic engagement. Here are some tips on how to build relationships with your legislator https://bit.ly/47Ogh0L