Local Authority

Knowing your community, engaging your community

For: District and County Councillors
This course examines the importance of knowing and considering the perspectives of all when representing a community, and acting as a decision-maker within it. Through developing their knowledge of the Holocaust, and listening to the testimony of a survivor, delegates will examine the ways in which a community breaks down when voices within it are no longer heard and respected. They will be challenged to consider how members of their community are able to speak and be listened to, and how their ability to listen with honesty and objectivity contributes to building an active and open community.

Aim: To examine the importance of knowing the experiences, values and perspectives of all electors, and addressing these within decision-making

Objectives

• To address the need of knowing and respecting the diverse voices in a community if the democratic response is to be strong, informative and relevant
• To highlight, through examining relevant historical models, the ways in which a community breaks down if the views and identity of its members are not respected and listened to
• To encourage consideration of the role of community leaders as careful listeners, challengers of entrenched views and models of positive dialogue

Outcomes

• To obtain a clearer understanding of the role of civic leaders in knowing and serving disparate communities in challenging times
• To identify the key causes of why the perspectives of some constituents may not be heard, and formulate strategies to address these
• To establish key priorities in meeting the challenge of creating an open and listening community

Course Length: 6 hours (half day course also available)

Addressing Prejudice, Building Respect

For: District and County councillors
This course examines the effects of prejudice in preventing open and strong communities, and the ways in which this can be addressed and countered. Through examining some of the key events of the Holocaust, and listening to the testimony of a Holocaust survivor, delegates are invited to reflect on the nature of personal and civic responsibility in addressing prejudice and its effects. By reflecting on the current picture of community relations in their area, and your own values and qualities as local leaders- delegates are encouraged to consider their role in building a strong and resilient community.

Aim: To reflect on the role of locally elected representatives in addressing prejudice, and identify positive strategies for building strong communities

Objectives:
To highlight the destructive effect of prejudice, and encourage reflection on the points at which intervention should take place within communities
To develop knowledge of relevant historical models, and issues raised by these which are pertinent to understanding communities
To encourage delegates to reflect on the relationships which currently exist in their communities, and the nature and quality of these
To share case studies which enable delegates to reflect on their role as community leaders in developing an open and resilient community

Outcomes:
• To develop a clearer understanding of the role of civic leaders in creating strong communities
• To identify effective strategies in building open and respectful relationships within communities, through addressing the impact of prejudice
• To strategically plan the ways in which successful leadership will shape and fulfil the community vision

Course length: 6 hours (half day course also available)