Connection vs. Disconnection
The common good is about creating a fair and inclusive society where we value everyone's well-being. It's not just about public services and healthcare, but also about working together, respecting each other, and supporting one another. In this kind of community, fairness and justice are crucial, and that means active participation from all of us. By getting involved and listening to each other, we can identify what's important for our community and work together to make it a reality.
What does the Common Good mean to us, or most importantly how does our community perceive it? This is the question we have tried to answer with our survey.
3 communities from different EU countries told us what they need in order to create a stronger sense of common good in their communities, and unsurprisingly they all addressed different needs.
The results may surprise you - check them out below:
QUESTION 1
What makes you feel belonging & connection to a place/neighbourhood?
A majority of the answers here across all three countries was how relations/relationships with community members create the feeling of belonging and connection. However in Italy it is mentioned that common spaces have a big impact on their feeling of connection, this could be an opportunity to the community to invest into creating more gathering spaces.
QUESTION 2
Do you feel sometimes disconnected from your community?
a majority of the Italians replied with yes
about half of the Austrian community replied yes and about 1/3 said sometimes
about half of the German community replied with sometimes and 1/3 said yes (flipped for the Austrian community)
QUESTION 3
What keeps you or your neighbours at a distance and not getting closer connected to each other?
This question addressed where the disconnection was stemming from - the answer most given was the lack of opportunity for intergenerational connection.
The concept of the common good varies among different communities, depending on their social norms, needs, and available resources.
By examining the sense of common good within a community, policymakers, NGOs, and organizations can gain a comprehensive understanding of how to safeguard it.
This involves nurturing the existing strengths and implementing creative and innovative solutions to address areas that require additional attention.
Such efforts do contribute to the overall well-being and prosperity of the community.