.
The Spiritual Capital-Cardiff research project exists thanks to funding from the Community Development Foundation's Faith Community Capacity Building Fund, which aims to empower religious communities of all kinds to relate better to the institutions and organisations of a secular civil society in Britain. This is the outcome of the government's social inclusion policy - getting everyone involved in shaping society and the way it runs, making use of the best of the values and skills of its citizenry.
It's most encouraging to discover that the same government impulse is at work on the other side of the institutional fence, encouraging Local Authorities, Health, Police and other public bodies to establish 'best practice' in their relationships with faith-communities. An organisation known as the Consultation Institute, based in Orpington, Kent exists to train people working in public service and provide resources for those involved in public or stakeholder consultations. The organisation is offering a regional training day in Bristol on 10th October.
It's clear there are cultural divides between the way a modern society is run, and the way traditional religious institutions and communities run, even though most of the latter have experienced modernisation in many of the ways they operate. There are differences in philosophy, values and priorities which lead to mis-communication in both directions.
Spiritual Capital research highlights and promotes the treasury of human resources that are all too easily taken for granted or overlooked and undervalued by civil society. Inevitably it uncovers weaknesses and flaws that need to be remedied. It is equally important to value strengths and encourage high aspirations. This leads to much more vigorous participation, and partnership between agencies of civil society and faith communities. Each is enabled to challenge the other from a desire to include everyone and achieve the best for everyone.
The Spiritual Capital-Cardiff research project exists thanks to funding from the Community Development Foundation's Faith Community Capacity Building Fund, which aims to empower religious communities of all kinds to relate better to the institutions and organisations of a secular civil society in Britain. This is the outcome of the government's social inclusion policy - getting everyone involved in shaping society and the way it runs, making use of the best of the values and skills of its citizenry.
It's most encouraging to discover that the same government impulse is at work on the other side of the institutional fence, encouraging Local Authorities, Health, Police and other public bodies to establish 'best practice' in their relationships with faith-communities. An organisation known as the Consultation Institute, based in Orpington, Kent exists to train people working in public service and provide resources for those involved in public or stakeholder consultations. The organisation is offering a regional training day in Bristol on 10th October.
It's clear there are cultural divides between the way a modern society is run, and the way traditional religious institutions and communities run, even though most of the latter have experienced modernisation in many of the ways they operate. There are differences in philosophy, values and priorities which lead to mis-communication in both directions.
Spiritual Capital research highlights and promotes the treasury of human resources that are all too easily taken for granted or overlooked and undervalued by civil society. Inevitably it uncovers weaknesses and flaws that need to be remedied. It is equally important to value strengths and encourage high aspirations. This leads to much more vigorous participation, and partnership between agencies of civil society and faith communities. Each is enabled to challenge the other from a desire to include everyone and achieve the best for everyone.
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