Recenti
studi hanno mostrato un calo di socializzazione con oltre il 70%
delle persone che non hanno contatto con i loro vicini. La
combinazione delle celebrazioni giubilari e le Olimpiadi ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jul/24/queen-lunch-downing-street-prime-ministers ; http://www.london2012.com/ ) ha mostrato un
quadro diverso, con 12 milioni di adulti che partecipano a
manifestazioni locali e riunioni, e che in media, incontrano cinque persone vicine che non
conoscevano prima. Ciò
suggerisce che le persone non sono solo disposte, ma anche desiderose di
connettersi con la comunità quando viene fornita una ragione o un'opportunità. Questo
spirito comunitario
negli ultimi dieci anni è confermato dalla crescita nelle reti on-line, con persone che si riuniscono per un
interesse o un problema comuni. Da
siti come Fan Fiction, dove le persone condividono e
ottengono un feedback sulle loro storie, a gruppi di sostegno online come
Netbuddy, che offre consigli per gli accompagnatori delle persone con
disabilità e bisogni speciali, le persone si riuniscono a milioni per
condividere conoscenze ed esperienze, ricevere sostegno e mettere in moto azioni. Mentre
una delle caratteristiche - e punto di forza - di molte reti online è
che i loro membri possono vivere a migliaia di chilometri di distanza; vi è
un crescente interesse nell'utilizzo di reti on line per sostenere le
comunità fisiche, per risolvere i problemi locali e galvanizzare
l'azione locale. Alcuni
esempi includono Streetbank che permette ai vicini di condividere
strumenti, libri, DVD nonché scambio di competenze; Ecomodo che supporta
ambienti di credito locali; Fix My Street, che incoraggia le persone a
riferire e discutere problemi locali su discariche abusive o mancanze di illuminazione stradale. O come ad es Tyze che
crea reti locali personali on-line a sostegno di coloro che
necessitano di cure a casa, o Transition Network che supporta e forma comunità per ridurre le emissioni di CO2. A
Nominet Trust, siamo particolarmente interessati a come questi e altri
network online attingono le risorse e come riorganizzano le
comunità locali, utilizzando l' "online" per mobilizzare azioni "offline" (mondo fisico) quotidiano. L'aumento
di reti on-line, che vanno dal globale all'iperlocale, ci aiuta a
pensare in modo diverso su cosa significa comunità
nel 21 ° secolo. Comunità di interesse e di pratica si possono creare tra persone che vivono vicine o dall'altra parte del mondo. L'unico requisito è condividere la motivazione, avere una preoccupazione comune, un reciproco interesse. Già
milioni di persone stanno creando e utilizzando la tecnologia digitale
per unirsi e per aiutarsi a vicenda e per cercare di dar forma al mondo intorno a loro. I network online
non possono essere sempre essere visibili come il pavese del giubileo in una strada in festa, ma (essi) sono già capaci di promuovere nuove forme
di comunità e di consentire la collaborazione per il bene sociale su
una scala affatto significativa.
Annika Piccolo
(amministratore delegato di Investor sociale, Nominet Trust).
How online networks can transform communities
The
Olympics and jubilee helped neighbours meet up, but digital technology
can help continue a sharing of interests and activities
Email
Online networks can bolster physical communities. Photograph: Stockbyte/Getty
Recent surveys have shown a dwindling in community spirit with
more than 70% of people having no contact with their neighbours. The
combination of the jubilee celebrations and the Olympics showed a
different picture, with 12 million adults taking part in local events
and meeting on average five neighbours they didn't know before. This
suggests that people are not only willing, but keen to connect with
their community when given a reason or opportunity.
This community spirit is borne out by the rise in online networks over the last decade with people coming together over a shared interest or issue. From fan fiction sites, such as Fan Fiction where people share and get feedback on their stories, to online support groups such as Netbuddy, which offers advice for carers of those with disabilities and special needs, people are coming together in their millions to share knowledge and experiences, get support and mobilise action.
While one of the characteristics – and strengths – of many online networks is that their members can live thousands of miles apart, there is a growing interest in using online networks to bolster physical communities, to address local issues and galvanise local action. Some examples include Streetbank which allows neighbours to share tools, books, DVDs as well as exchange skills; Ecomodo which supports local lending circles; Fix My Street which encourages people to report and discuss local problems from fly tipping to broken street lighting; Tyze which is creating personal, local online networks to support those requiring home care and Transition Network which supports and trains communities to come together and reduce CO2 emissions. At Nominet Trust, we are particularly interested in how these and other online networks are tapping into and reorganising resources in local communities, using online to mobilise offline action in the physical world.
The rise of online networks, ranging from the global to the hyperlocal, helps us to think differently about what community means in the 21st century. Communities of interest and practice can be created between people living next door or on the other side of the world to each other. The only requirement is shared motivation, a common concern, mutual interest. Already millions of people are creating and using digital technology to come together to help each other and to shape the world around them. They may not always be as visible as the bunting of a jubilee street party but online networks are fostering powerful new forms of community and enabling collaboration for social good on a significant scale.
Annika Small is chief executive of Social Investor, Nominet Trust.
This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. To join the voluntary sector network, click here.
This community spirit is borne out by the rise in online networks over the last decade with people coming together over a shared interest or issue. From fan fiction sites, such as Fan Fiction where people share and get feedback on their stories, to online support groups such as Netbuddy, which offers advice for carers of those with disabilities and special needs, people are coming together in their millions to share knowledge and experiences, get support and mobilise action.
While one of the characteristics – and strengths – of many online networks is that their members can live thousands of miles apart, there is a growing interest in using online networks to bolster physical communities, to address local issues and galvanise local action. Some examples include Streetbank which allows neighbours to share tools, books, DVDs as well as exchange skills; Ecomodo which supports local lending circles; Fix My Street which encourages people to report and discuss local problems from fly tipping to broken street lighting; Tyze which is creating personal, local online networks to support those requiring home care and Transition Network which supports and trains communities to come together and reduce CO2 emissions. At Nominet Trust, we are particularly interested in how these and other online networks are tapping into and reorganising resources in local communities, using online to mobilise offline action in the physical world.
The rise of online networks, ranging from the global to the hyperlocal, helps us to think differently about what community means in the 21st century. Communities of interest and practice can be created between people living next door or on the other side of the world to each other. The only requirement is shared motivation, a common concern, mutual interest. Already millions of people are creating and using digital technology to come together to help each other and to shape the world around them. They may not always be as visible as the bunting of a jubilee street party but online networks are fostering powerful new forms of community and enabling collaboration for social good on a significant scale.
Annika Small is chief executive of Social Investor, Nominet Trust.
This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. To join the voluntary sector network, click here.
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