Youth fields professionals create the conditions in which young people can thrive: They activate the vision for high-quality programs; develop tools, systems, and approaches for designing and sustaining such programs; and form relationships with and among participating youth. However while investments in afterschool programming have continued to…

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the broad concept of university-community partnerships as it applies to creating sustainability initiatives. The benefits of university-community partnerships are increasingly recognized, and this paper offers direct insights from community stakeholders on the principles, functions and activities they see as…

The scope of lifelong learning in Japan covers school education and informal learning. Japan faces large social changes: severe child population decline could ease competition for entrance examination but students are pushed to win in the society; cyber communication changes the human relationships more invisible and atomized; the gap between…

The Early Warning Business Development System identifies companies at risk of closing or moving and provides assistance by developing a coalition of community, labor, government, and business leaders; gathering information on area businesses; developing a plan of action; and building community vision and capacity. (SK)

Describes features of learning communities: they transform themselves, share wisdom and recognition, bring others in, and share results. Provides the case example of the Upper Savannah River Economic Coalition. Discusses actions of learning communities, barriers to their development, and future potential. (SK)

Inauthentic participation may be limited to providing inputs, giving the community no power. However, even weak participation in the form of utilization, contributions, enlistment, cooperation, and consultation can have benefits. (Author/SK)

From a study of community action in three British multiracial localities emerged several issues: (1) cooperation and competition in acquiring resources; (2) who is to represent the community; and (3) who has power to deliver or withhold support from community groups (gatekeeping). Community development practice implications include containing…

Study of three community collaborations in family violence coordinating councils identified factors influencing sustainability: clearly stated goals, identification of key members, and good internal and external communication. Collaborations succeed when they enable individuals and their organizations to agree on vision, mission, and goals. (SK)

Applies optimistic and pessimistic models of government/community partnerships to the situation of Muintir na Tire, the Irish community movement. Recommends an activist model that focuses on the ability of community interests to assert collective agency and negotiate more advantageous partnerships. (Contains 28 references.) (SK)

A reading campaign among Palestinians combined learning with community building at the level of personal and community abilities, values, and beliefs. The project created long-lasting change by combining local resources and fostering the ability to work cooperatively and solve problems collectively. (SK)

Describes the combined school and public library in Olney, Texas. The result of a community planning program, the combined facility offers a small town's solution for providing adequate library services for education and general use with limited resources. (RAA)

Cluster communities, voluntary alliances between communities to address common problems, can be facilitated by government financial support; state policies, laws, and regulations permitting collaboration; and educational programs. Education should focus on reconceptualizing "community" and fostering regional belonging. (SK)

Universities must recognize that they are part of the community and take an active role in community building. A comprehensive national/state collaborative system is needed to restore a sense of social purpose to the university. (SK)

Draws upon community field theory and human ecology and uses data from 120 rural Pennsylvania school districts to examine the relative contributions of past community actions, development of solidarity, and ecological variables (socioeconomic status, remoteness, previous industrialization, and percentage of residents commuting to work) to the…

Community clusters allow small towns to combine their efforts to enhance economic development, promote tourism, or share public services. Two successful clusters of communities in Iowa are the Area Community Commonwealth and the North Iowa Rural Area Development. Both clusters participated in Iowa State University's Cooperative Extension Service…