An invitation for dialogue from Rich Harwood
Thursday, February 23, 2006
(The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation)What is public innovation, and why do
we need it now, more than
ever?
The Harwood Institute for
Public Innovation - as its name implies - seeks
to answer this important question in its work
across the country every day. Indeed, I
personally am driven by a belief that public
innovation, and the public innovators who lead
it, are essential to repairing the breach that
exists in today's society, because it's
apparent that business as usual isn't working.
In fact, what I've learned in my travels across
the country and through my work is that the
conditions in today's society are actually
driving people to retreat from public life into
their close-knit circles of family and friends.
So, what is public innovation, and why
do we need it? I've been working on some new
ideas around this question that have been
evolving as I've met with dozens of people and
heard their stories on the Hope Unraveled book
tour. Next week, I'd like to share them with
you and invite you to respond to them, add
depth to them, and even argue against them if
you don't agree.
Beginning this Monday,
Feb. 27 and going through Wednesday, March 1,
I'll be posting a series of short pieces on my
blog, Redeeming
Hope. I hope you'll take some time out of
your busy schedule to take a look and comment.
Then, the following week, I'll share what some
people had to say and attempt to incorporate
some of those ideas into my current thinking.
I'm doing this because I'm convinced
after 20 years of work that we need new
pathways in politics and public life. And, we
need to innovate in order to create those
pathways.
Thanks for your time. I'm
looking forward to our conversation.
Rich Harwood