Background and Context

Posted on: Jun 23 2008 | Posted in: About ACE


ACE Communities is a direct response to a number of disturbing trends that have, or will have, an impact on the quality of life.

These trends include:
•  An increase in diseases related to inactivity including more than doubled rates of obesity since 1985 leading to diabetes and hypertension
•  Substantial increase in chronic conditions (among low-income families)
•  Voluntary sector funding cutbacks that have resulted in a loss of infrastructure, labour market shortages, and knowledge capital
•  A preoccupation with the bottom line financial results that has overridden “public good outcomes”
•  Devolution of responsibility from senior levels of government to local governments and the voluntary sector with minimal supportive resource transfers
•  Aging facilities and infrastructure
•  Changing rural needs
•  Pressures on Alberta’s land base and water resources
•  Rising health care costs
•  Growing demand for knowledge capital

Along with an awareness of these trends, has come a growing recognition that there are many other potential partners who share a commitment to working together on community initiatives that respond to these trends: 

•  Reducing health risks for Albertans by increasing active involvement, recreation and lifelong learning
•  Improving quality of life
•  Ensuring cohesive, community-driven planning
•  Emphasizing a “sense of place”, neighbourliness, and a sense of belonging
•  Developing civic mindedness and pride
•  Implementing initiatives that build on existing assets
•  Strengthening community leadership and local capacity for leading change
•  Facilitating creativity and innovation
•  Increasing collaborative partnerships and more efficient use of resources
•  Building a strong and resilient voluntary sector
•  Increasing citizen and social engagement
•  Developing collaborative relationships and networks (social capital)
•  Providing inclusive opportunities that respect diversity
•  Fostering stewardship of the environment and conservation planning
•  Promoting lifelong learning
•  Encouraging increased youth resiliency and positive child development
•  Preserving our history and natural heritage

Additionally, community stakeholders are often heard to say that business, government, and the voluntary sector could do a more effective job of serving the broader community if they were to work together to “connect the silos”. 

The efforts of many, who too often work separately, need to be drawn together under one umbrella if communities are to have the capacity to develop and grow. 

Despite the acknowledgment that sectors and silos need to work more collaboratively, there is often the challenge of one sector being able to take the lead without threatening others that need to be involved.  It may be that ACE Communities can be a vehicle for connecting sectors and silos, particularly as the benefits or outcomes that can be delivered by recreation are well documented. 

Recreation and parks has the potential to deliver these outcomes or benefits
1. Stronger Leaders, Organizations, and Communities
2. Quality of Life
3. Stronger Families
4. Improved Personal Health
5. Our Development as Humans                                                                  
6. Reduced Health Care, Social Service, and Police/Justice Costs
7. The Reduction of Anti-Social Behaviour
8. Ecological Survival
9. A Strong Economy

Unfortunately, even though parks and recreation practitioners have the potential to deliver these benefits, their capacity it isn’t always clearly understood or acknowledged by other sectors.

Regardless, the benefits of recreation and active communities won’t be possible without community development skilled and knowledgeable leaders who can work together to ensure creative, healthier and more active communities.

Those working in a community leadership capacity will need distinct skills, knowledge, and abilities if they are to work within the complex and challenging environment of a community leader working to ensure active communities.  As a result, the AAC initiative has acknowledged the importance and key role of existing community leaders.

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