<div>I thought some might be interested in the CSC's Stragegy Doc, PDF attached. </div>
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<div>One quote I found there stuck out:</div>
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<div>"<em>Today, many people feel that civil society and its' local associations aren't very important. Instead, they think what really matters are big institutions like corporations, health systems and governments. However, what makes a democracy isn't its institutions. Rather, it is citizens working in their clubs, groups, organizations and associations that make a democracy. The heart of democracy is the free space where people form their own associations to provide care, advocacy and community. Without this vital centre, democracies become hollow and institutions become oppressive and unresponsive. And people lose their citizenship by becoming nothing more than clients and consumers</em>."<br>
John McKnight of the <a href="http://processarts.wagn.org/wagn/Asset_Based_Community_Development" target="_blank"><font color="#66858d">Asset Based Development</font></a> Institute, Chicago</div>
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<div>My thanks to Matthew Scott of CRD Campaign for Real Democracy and CSC for sending me this. Maybe we can develop some good working ties with CSC in the coming years. I will ask Francis at 21st Century Network (21CN) if we can include CSC in a coming Meet Up. </div>
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<div>More info on 21CN is at <a href="http://www.meetup.com/21stCenturyNetwork">http://www.meetup.com/21stCenturyNetwork</a>, for those who have not heard of it. </div>
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<div>All the best </div>
<div>Mark</div>
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<div><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3"><a href="http://www.communitysectorcoalition.org.uk/"><font size="2">www.communitysectorcoalition.org.uk</font></a></font></font></div>