In the often under-resourced area of community services, having a select few industry ‘professionals’ exclusively hoarding power, resources and knowledge is outdated and inefficient. Across many different areas, these kinds of paternal approaches are widely being replaced with projects which teach the community how to manage their own issues; harnessing the capabilities and expertise of citizens, resulting in increased effectiveness, better results and a reduced demand on public services.
Equipping citizens with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other is clearly a good investment. But running through many of these innovations is a more radical idea that challenges the nature of professionalism and expertise.
That isn’t to say that there isn’t a vital role for professionals in the public services of the future; of course there is. What we’re seeing is the huge potential for professionals and citizens to join forces in new ways that enable them to create much more value by working together.
Read the full article from the UK Guardian here Why public services can only benefit from working with citizens.
Hat tip Jayne Cravens.
