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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The <A href="http://www.thersa.org/"
target=_blank><FONT color=#008dcf>RSA</FONT></A> (the Royal Society for the
encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), has just published an
interesting report: <A
href="http://www.thersa.org/projects/connected-communities"
target=_blank><STRONG><FONT color=#008dcf>Connected Communities: How social
networks power and sustain the Big Society</FONT></STRONG></A> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>The researchers explored two areas: New Cross Gate in South East London and
Knowle West in Bristol.
<P>Knowle West Media Centre is described as a “a key hub in the community” which
“uses digital means to foster awareness of and engagement with social issues in
the area”. The report quotes a case study showing how input and support
from KWMC helped local residents to get a much-needed bus route reinstated
</P></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Follow this link for a write-up (on my
blog):</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><A
href="http://talkingmedia.wordpress.com/2010/09/15/connected-communities-report-from-the-rsa/">http://talkingmedia.wordpress.com/2010/09/15/connected-communities-report-from-the-rsa/</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Click on this link for the RSA website and to
read/download the report:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><A
href="http://www.thersa.org/projects/connected-communities">http://www.thersa.org/projects/connected-communities</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Congratulations to Knowle West Media Centre - now
community media practitioners everywhere should be <A
href="http://www.thersa.org/about-us/contact" target=_blank><FONT
color=#008dcf>sending examples to the RSA researchers</FONT></A> and responding
to the current report – download it, tweet it, circulate it, discuss it on air
and make sure similar projects and results are highlighted as ‘Big society’
already in action on the ground.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Best wishes</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Cathy</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><A
href="http://www.aitchisonmedia.net">http://www.aitchisonmedia.net</A>
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><A
href="http://www.londonlinkradio.net">http://www.londonlinkradio.net</A>
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><A
href="http://talkingmedia.wordpress.com">http://talkingmedia.wordpress.com</A>
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>BTW: There's also an article in today's
Guardian (but it covers only New Cross Gate, not KWMC):</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><A
href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/sep/15/big-society-community-networks">http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/sep/15/big-society-community-networks</A></FONT></DIV></DIV>
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