Article Title
Leveraging Living Heritage for Peace Building: A Step Beyond the Preservation of Heritage Assets in Conflict Zones

Date
23 July 2024

Credits
Eva Ziedan
Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj

Link
https://www.lugarit.com/commentary/commentary-leveraging-living-heritage-for-peace-building

Summary
This paper explores the potential of leveraging living heritage as a tool for peacebuilding in conflict zones, using Syria as a case study. Traditional top-down heritage conservation methods, often rooted in Eurocentric standards, have alienated local communities and exacerbated social divisions. The paper argues for a shift towards inclusive, community-driven approaches that prioritize living traditions and socio-economic development, thereby fostering social cohesion and resilience. Key recommendations include adopting a living heritage approach, promoting inclusive narratives, enhancing genuine community participation, and integrating socio-economic strategies. By embracing these strategies, heritage conservation can play a crucial role in sustainable peacebuilding and recovery in conflict-affected regions.

Leveraging Living Heritage for Peace Building

SEGMENT #1: City of Charleston Housing & Community Development
GUEST:  Geona Johnson, Director Housing & Community Development
ISSUE: Affordable Housing  
Is the American dream of home ownership out of reach? The City of Charleston is addressing the growing problem. Geona Johnson, the city’s Director of Housing & Community Development explained that affordable housing is based on the percent of income the owner is investing in a mortgage or rent – over 30% is line. Johnson discussed some of the programs the city has underway to help allow more residents to own their homes. She explained how affordable housing is not just a problem for poor people, and some of the ways the community has come forward to help. Johnson also shared affordable housing projects the city is constructing.

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SEGMENT #2: City of Goose Creek Recreation Department
GUEST:  Lyza Bowers, Program Director & Adam Kelly, Marketing Manager
ISSUE: Community Development
This September, the City of Goose Creek will open the Joseph S. Danning Amphitheater. The 1,200-seat facility will host concerts, movie nights, events and even be available for rental. Lyza Bowers, the Program Director for the City of Goose Creek explained the process of how the amphitheater came to be, who Joseph S. Danning is and why the facility is named after him. Both she and Marketing Director Adam Kelly described the facility, talked about the on-site amenities and Adam talked about the first 3 events. Bowers also provided information on how residents can rent the facility and the positive economic impact for the City of Goose Creek.

Lowcountry Forever: CHS Housing & Community Dev. & Goose Creek Recreation Dept. - Aug. 18, 2024

SEGMENT #1: 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride
GUEST: Gary Goldman, Founder and Director
ISSUE: First Responders
Two decades beyond the terrible events of September 11, 2001, there is importance in remembering and honoring those who lost their lives in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington DC. Gary Goldman organized the first 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride as a companion to a 9/11 Walk over the Ravenel Bridge. Since then, the ride has grown to its own event, held this year on Sunday, Sept. 14. Goldman discusses his motivation for the ride, provides details on the event, and talks of the parts of the community that have joined forces to make the ride successful.  Whie this police-escorted ride is free for participants; the event does raise money which is donated to area veterans in need.

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SEGMENT #2: City of Goose Creek Recreation Department
GUEST: Lyza Bowers, Program Director & Adam Kelly, Marketing Manager
ISSUE: Community Development
This September, the City of Goose Creek will open the Joseph S. Danning Amphitheater. The 1200 seat facility will host concerts, movie nights, events and even be available for rental. Lyza Bowers, the Program Director for the City of Goose Creek explained the process of how the amphitheater came to be, who Joseph S. Danning is and why the facility is named after him. Both she and Marketing Director Adam Kelly described the facility, talked about the on-site amenities and Adam talked about the first 3 events. Bowers also provided information on how residents can rent the facility and the positive economic impact for the City of Goose Creek.

Lowcountry Forever: 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride & City of Goose Creek Rec. - Sept. 1, 2024

Lowcountry Forever: Travis Manion Foundation & CHS Housing & Community Dev. - Sept. 8, 2024

Schools affect their neighborhoods—if community developers don’t harness that connection for equitable change, someone else will. Ryan Good reads, "To Make Schools Better for Everyone, Connect Them to Community Development," an op-ed he wrote for Shelterforce.

Read the full op-ed at: https://shelterforce.org/2024/11/14/to-make-school-improvement-serve-all-residents-connect-it-to-community-development/

This piece is part of the Under the Lens series, "Street Blocks to Alphabet Blocks: The Housing-Education Connection." Check out the series here: https://shelterforce.org/series/street-blocks-to-alphabet-blocks-the-housing-education-connection/

To Make Schools Better for Everyone, Connect Them to Community Development

Some community development organizations have added education to their traditional focus on housing and economic development. By partnering with local school districts, they’re looking for ways to support families and children in their neighborhoods. How’s it working? Listen to, "Expanding the Mission: The Community Groups Serving Schools," written by Padmini Raghunath.

Read the story at https://shelterforce.org/2024/11/19/expanding-the-mission-the-community-groups-serving-schools/

Expanding the Mission: The Community Groups Serving Schools

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Betsy Biemann, CEO of Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI), a leading community development financial institution dedicated to fostering economic equity, environmental sustainability, and community resilience.
Betsy shares her journey from her roots as the daughter of immigrants to becoming a global change-maker. With a background in education and agriculture, her career has spanned continents and industries, ultimately leading her to CEI, where she’s transforming lives and communities in rural Maine and beyond.  
Whether you’re interested in entrepreneurship, social impact, or strategies for creating resilient communities, this episode offers invaluable insights and inspiration.
Learn more about CEI and their mission at ceimaine.org.
This episode of Meeting You Where You're At is brought to you by Nourish Room, where self-care meets transformation.  Ready to prioritize your wellness? Visit nourishroommassage.com to book your session today. Because when you take care of yourself, you can take on anything.

EP 104 Betsy Biemann

Bennish Brown, President and CEO of Destination Augusta, discusses what our destination marketing and management organization is responsible for. He explored upcoming events and food/music festivals that will contribute to Augusta's growing reputation as a festival destination. Our conversation also covered the development of attractions and facilities in Augusta, emphasizing how our SPLOST funds will be used to create exciting things to do throughout the city.

DISCLAIMER: Local Matters Podcast Host Janice Allen Jackson is speaking only for herself. Her thoughts, views, and opinions regarding this tragedy belong solely to her. These are not to malign any profession, organization, anyone, or anything. Local Matters does not endorse candidates.


To contact Mrs. Jackson for consulting or speaking engagements, please see the Contact Us page:
www.Janiceallenjackson.weebly.com
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Podcast:
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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/local-matters-podcast/id1547887548

Want to Have Fun? Come See Augusta!

Rick Reinhard, a former local government official now with Niagra Consulting, shared his expertise in redeveloping and repurposing underutilized church buildings.  During his tenure with the United Methodist Church, this became one of his specialties. Janice and Rick discussed their shared history in Richmond, Virginia, and explored the challenges and opportunities of reusing historic church buildings. Declining church attendance has created a signifcant problem for many communities. They examined various approaches churches are taking to adapt to changing circumstances, while also discussing the complexities of managing empty church structures and the importance of flexible regulations and community partnerships for successful repurposing.

To contact Mrs. Jackson for consulting or speaking engagements, please see the Contact Us page:
www.Janiceallenjackson.weebly.com
Follow us on Social Media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LocalMattersPodcastofGeorgia
Subscribe on Youtube: Local Matters Podcast of Georgia
youtube.com/@localmatterspodcastofgeorg3624
Twitter:
twitter.com/JAJAndAssocLLC
Podcast:
Soundcloud: Local Matters
@localmatterspodcast
Spotify: Local Matters
https://open.spotify.com/show/3rtuvmCNMVWfhcO6hkYXCQ?si=637e0260a38c45c7
Apple Podcasts: Local Matters
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/local-matters-podcast/id1547887548


The Problem of Empty Churches with Rick Reinhard

Discover how the innovative Main Street app platform is revolutionizing local business support and community engagement. This episode explores a comprehensive mobile solution designed specifically for Main Street Organizations and downtown districts, featuring festival directories, interactive discount passes, themed experiences, and powerful social sharing tools.
Learn how robust analytics help communities understand visitor behavior while proven strategies drive real tourism revenue growth. From boosting foot traffic to celebrating unique local character, find out how this platform helps small businesses thrive and communities flourish.
Perfect for: Downtown organizers, local business advocates, community developers, and anyone passionate about supporting Main Street economies.
#MainStreet #LocalBusiness #CommunityDevelopment #SmallBusiness #DowntownRevitalization #LocalEconomy #BusinessGrowth #CommunityEngagement

Transforming Downtown Districts: How Local Explorers' Main Street Platform Drives Community Growth

Shelterforce is nonprofit news publication that covers affordable housing in the U.S., as well as community planning, racial equity, community development, and more. Here you can listen to authors read their latest Shelterforce articles, as well as our interviews with folks on the ground. For more, go to shelterforce.org.

To support our nonprofit newsroom, make a tax-deductible donation at https://shelterforce.org/donate.

LUGARIT is a small think tank active in international development.

We are local media. Charleston Media Solutions gives businesses the ability to merge on-air, online and on-site brand attribution with exclusive access to interact with potential customers.

Local and state governments, though often overshadowed by federal government, have tremendous impact on our quality of life. This podcast provides a valuable service by educating people on how to improve their own quality of life through civic engagement. Various organizations encourage residents to register and vote, but it does not appear that anyone is showing voters how to make good decisions when they do. It feels akin to hiring someone for a job without reviewing the job description. Local Matters changes that narrative by educating voters with short, clear, and unbiased civics lessons from a career local government professional, public speaker, and management consultant.

Podcast featuring Women Entrepreneurs, Disruptors, and Purveyors of change. Meeting You provides an amplifying platform for Women Entrepreneurs, Founders, and Leaders who are focused on Social Impact and Innovation.

New tracks tagged #communitydevelopment