If you promise something through co production, you have to follow through.
If you don’t, you can’t claim the process worked. Co production isn’t a technique.
It’s a commitment.
People remember what was said and who said it. Even if some organizations dont refer back, communities do.
Communities don’t forget broken promises.
Maybe we need case studies on this when organizations start floatily presenting visions for more “engagement” (read narrative and slogans) without tackling the issues and I’m curious what the economic impact to those communities is when we break that trust. Lecturing about engagement under these conditions speeds up the distrust.
“I have seen that community and a close relationship with the land can enrich human life beyond all comparison with material wealth or technological sophistication. I have learned that another way is possible.”
Ancient Futures: Lessons from Ladakh by Helena Norberg-Hodge
Engagement is not narrative, it’s dialogue. We need to respect it’s practitioners and their talents more. We need to invest time in listening to them like they do with others. Otherwise we have constant damage control. Broken promises harm the community and practitioner alike.
Engagement is a promise.
Naomi Heath 