A Space and Place to Live & Become: A Context for Advocacy!
Historically, birth and occupation determined the living spaces to contain our peers
and social equals. We patterned alienation to accommodate an assigned social
standing; we limited movement across status boundaries by confining educational
advancement to the elite. We also provided institutionalised arrangements for the
troublesome and the problematic.
Citizenship, the electoral franchise, and a measure of control of one`s destiny, was the
province of the privileged. Survival and quality of life was an attributed consequence
of preferential circumstances. They, alas, continue to differentiate our health and
social status irrespective of national economic growth and opportunity.
New order citizenship is demonstrated, to an extent, in active participation in the
political system and/or influential interest groups. Political Voice has become an
essential resource. Being heard is frequently a product of power and influence that is
at times perceived as a purchasable commodity. The evidence of real participation by
the average person is limited. The adoption of constitutional Fairness, in principles of
equity and equality for all, does not always guarantee a level playing field
irrespective of circumstances. We still need persuasive individuals with strong
convictions, staunch advocacy and constant integrity at all levels of society.
What is the evidence of our shared societal values as operationalised in policy and
practice? We have all of the necessary rhetoric in the endless and varied policy
documents produced in past decades. Our experience embraces the entire worthy
innovative socio-economic statements and social policy intents of the past 40 years.
Our aspirations at times go round and round in monotonous assertions and mandatory
prioritisations. For example, we have moved from the “Human Warehousing” (as
described in literature) response to human and social issues of the 19th century only in
the past 20 years or so. The remnants of such practices are still evident in institutional
arrangements and mindsets. It was a response to the grim socio-economic
circumstances of its time. What is the new version of those warehouses as enabled in
our high performing economy? Are they the high/low-rise luxury apartments and
gated communities in salubrious surroundings and/or, in notable instances, the
disintegrating social ghettoes on the margins of our civil society? The former are
distinguished by individualism and independence while the latter cling to a mutual
interdependency for an uneasy survival and/or external dependency and probably live
in constant uncertainty or fear.
What is a normal community in 2007? What will the norm become by 2020?
What will we advocate for ourselves, for our children, and especially those with
special needs? Wolfensberger`s Values to Action promotes inclusivity and choice.
That instrument enabled appropriate deinstitutionalisation practices in the past.
We must incorporate such wisdom in the current desire to create alternative
community –based services and living arrangements? Unfortunately, the many social
and environmental changes we observe has generated social instability in established
communities and in certain environments the result has been civil uncertainty and
undesirable behaviours.
We cannot offer dysfunctional or indifferent population clusters as habitats for those
we care about. The challenge of belonging requires enabled citizenship in civil
communities. To this end we seek to empower participants to become involved in the
activities of citizenship. This becoming, needs awareness, acceptance
and engagement by communities in sharing their resources and opportunities. The
stock of social capital in and across such communities must first be known and
valued. It must be matched by real social and economic and cultural investment in
valued lives. Our currency is our humanity grounded in a strong belief system and a
willingness to contribute and share our lives and talents with others and to embrace
the richness they also bring to our lives.
In moving forward as the advocates and representatives of those we serve, we assert
that we will not reinstitutionalise their lives in other ways and settings! Instead, we
will create appropriate social networks of safety, with dignity and esteem, that are
extended through the enhanced capability and capacity of participants.
This is our collective task, which calls for a new social leadership that cannot be
compromised in its intent.
Congratulations and success to all who are responsible for today`s initiative and who
are committed to the challenges of engaging good people to participate in the project.
Stiofan de Burca
HSyRC,UL
25th Sept 2007
DVD Advocacy Launch
Citizens Information Board
BoC/MN/TR