A Public Consultation on the Future of New York City after 9/11
By Frank McLean
I've recently returned from New York City from what was, at once, the most sobering, moving and exhilarating facilitation of my professional life.
This was a public consultation held at the Jacob K. Javits Centre on July 20 by the Port Authority of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation and the City of New York, that is working with many other partners. The invitation to participate was issued through the media directly to the public. The event was organized by Carolyn Lukensmeyer's AmericaSpeaks organization.
Some 5,000 citizens participated vigorously at tables for 10. They were assisted by 500 facilitators, awesome networked and real-time electronics, and a well-organized non-stop work process from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Over 200 media representatives covered the event. CNN broadcast it all day. People in New York City, the region, and beyond lived the realities of death, destruction and disaster the morning of 9/11 and are still living them. The economic, social and neighbourhood aftershocks permeate lives, business and organizations on a daily basis. However, a new spirit was born that day and has been sustained and encouraged. One motto now is "Remember and Rebuild", not only at the WTC site, but also for the life of Lower Manhattan.
Participants showed up. They brought their courage. They overcame their pain and cynicism. They contributed their experience, insight and wisdom. They gave direction and dared to dream. And they made a difference. When participants, now empowered, finished giving direction for the day, the key decision makers spoke publicly about what they heard during the day. The participants then insisted on, and received, commitments from the decision makers to follow through on renewal efforts for Lower Manhattan - and to seek further public consultation as plans emerge. Is this people power in action? For sure!
Want to know more? Tune in to the December issue of the newsletter.
Frank McLean, Mediator & Facilitator
www.frank@frankmclean.com; 416-410-7570
Source:
“Esprit d’Accord”, September, 2002, p.5. Newsletter of the Association for Creative Change in Organizational Renewal and Development
Copyright Frank McLean, 2002 (Author Copyright)
Copyright ACCORD, 2002 (Publication Copyright)
