PRF workshop format

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What I wish I knew when I started as a
Development Practitioner15 years ago
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This presentation

• 6 Frameworks
• Interdisciplinary nature of rural development
• Change chosen and unchosen
• How adults learn
• Time, and timing of RD effort
• A Strategic approach
• Traits of successful communities

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(No Transcript)
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Q How do you best implement some elses success
story? A Adapt, not adopt.

Craig
Mathisen
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Successful rural development requires
interdisciplinary thinking. by Butler and
Mandeville in Regional Economics
Demography
Sociology
Political Science
Economics
Regional Science
Ag Economics
Geography
Engineering
Land Use Planning
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If you only have a hammer then every problem
seems like a nail. Successful rural development
requires a toolkit of planning and process
skills. Chris Gibbons EDO Littleton Colorado and
owner econ-dev mailing list
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Rural Development is a people process Craig
Mathisen
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Chosen Change Cycle
5. Resolution
4. Acceptance
3. Reaction
2.Exploration
1.Acceptance
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Unchosen Change Cycle
5. Resolution
4. Exploration
3. Acceptance
2.Self Justification /Blame
1.Negation/ Denial
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Rural development is a change process. It
requires planning - limited
resources requires careful choices. It creates
conflict - some people dont like
change. It takes time to achieve success
- at least 5 years of continuous
effort. David Kolzow Strategic Planning for
Economic Development 1992
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Some development organisations have just enough
money to do nothing! Karen Prentiss PRESCO
Conference 1990
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Rural development is not a spectator sport, yet
there are always plenty of sideline commentators
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How adults learn the action learning cycle
I DO something (take action)
How can I USE these new ideas to improve what I
do? (plan)
I THINK about it what went well what
didnt (reflect)
What did I LEARN? what NEW ideas do I now
have? (ideas)
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I hear I forget I see I remember I do I
understand I believe I Implement
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• There is a simple 4 part Strategy
• 1. Support existing business
• 2. Fill the gaps
• 3. Encourage enterprising people
• 4. Attract appropriate new business.
• Rocky Mountains Institute
• Economic Renewal Guide 1992

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A Strategy is a Compass, not a Map Assoc
Professor Phil Neck
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Economies are more like ecosystems than
machines. Chris Gibbons EDO Littleton
Colorado and owner econ-dev mailing list
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Developers Toolkit The 8 Ps
The Art of What is Possible

• People
• Places
• Politics
• Perceptions
• Processes
• Projects
• Products
• Persistence

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Perception is reality. Its not what you do
that you are judged by. Its what people think
you do. Anonymous /Craig Mathisen
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Why are some communities more successful than
others? 1. A slight level of dissatisfaction 2.
A positive attitude towards experimentation 3. A
high level of community discussion 4. A history
of implementation
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• There are 5 necessary ingredients for any project
  to succeed
• Markets
• Materials
• Manpower
• Management
• Money
• Blakely and Bowman
• Taking Local Development Initiatives
• 1986

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• Add the Mathisen 3 Ms
• -Motivation
• -Mutual Trust
• -(M) persistence and patience
• My learning Soft infrastructure is as critical
  as hard

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At the end of every day it never ceases to amaze
me at how little I know. due to the new things I
learn from the people I meet Vicki Dickman
Positive Rural Futures 1995
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Bauple
Steve Irwins Australia Zoo
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My contact details

• Craig Mathisen
• DPIs Rural Development Team
• PO Box 395
• GYMPIE. Q. 4570
• Ph [phone] Fax [phone]
• Mob [phone]
• e-mail craig.mathisen_at_dpi.qld.gov.au