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THE STRANGERS -

An observer of communities defines their strengths

In strong communities
you will fined people
who will focus on and
identify the gifts and
‘capacities of people and
how to mobilize them,
rather than focusing on
their needs.

Terrace Review — April 10, 1992 |

af of : Ja: ohn “ MeKuight,

Professor of Humanities at Northwestern —
University. in Chicago, was in. Terrace
recently speaking on building: strong com-
munities.

McKnight is a well-known community

‘developer and has taken'‘part in 20 years
of studies and research across Canada and

the: United States on what makes com-
munities strong, from a social development

aspect.

McKnight is currently touring North

_ America speaking on. the results of those
“surveys and research, with the’: ‘aim to

inform people and spark their interest on.

how they can make their "community

stronger.

“ta is s McKnight’s theory that the answer to building
a strong: community is held by the community and the
people. within. The key, he said, is that weak commun-
ities are dependent on "experts" and "professionals",
whereas strong communities are. places where the
citizens act together to solve problems. cy