Renew social infrastructure through community absorption
Written by Haim Amit
Educational psychologist, certified family therapist and organizational consultant.
A gun that appears in the first act will fire in the third act" (Anton Chekhov)
During a conversation about the annual budget, a discussion developed about the infrastructure renewal section. This is a calculated, long-term investment plan that aims to restore important, aging infrastructure such as electricity, water, sewage, and lighting. This is not about routine repairs, but about replacing old parts with new ones and adding new features to the existing infrastructure
In this spirit, I wondered: Why not think this way about social infrastructure as well? Isn't it appropriate to invest in an orderly and in-depth way in renewing social infrastructure such as trust, cooperation, solidarity, involvement, open dialogue, an atmosphere of togetherness, and support, especially when they "age" over time? Why wait for them to reach a critical state, when it will be very difficult to restore them
Social infrastructures, even if they are not as visible as physical infrastructures, erode over time: trust weakens, ties weaken, the sense of mutual responsibility fades. It is not necessary to reach a bad state to want to renew these infrastructures; it is enough to be aware of their wear and tear in order to want to prevent further deterioration. Fundamental renewal of social infrastructures is a deep process, the purpose of which is to create a renewed common language, restore trust between different groups, foster mutual listening and sensitivity, and so on
Sometimes we ignore social problems or try to fix them with specific actions, such as colorful community events (hikes, parties) to boost morale, one-time community meetings to reduce stress, or general statements without practical action. When social infrastructures are not renewed, feelings of alienation, loneliness, and non-belonging increase, which may lead to emotional or physical abandonment of community members
One of the most effective ways to renew social infrastructure is to welcome new people into the community. They bring new ideas, initiatives, and opinions that enrich the community dynamics. An aging community will feel younger when young people join it and work in its institutions. A community that is moving away from its values will strive to strengthen them, in order to make them more accessible to newcomers. A community that is petrified by routine thinking patterns will be refreshed with creative, groundbreaking ideas that will bring in new people
However, the process of welcoming new members into the community carries with it a number of risks. One of the main risks is the sense of threat felt by the veterans, who may feel that their values and identity are in danger. They may fear that the presence of newcomers will lead to changes that they will not accept, which could cause tension and friction between groups. In addition, the newly absorbed may feel alien and out of place when they encounter rules and traditions that are unfamiliar to them
To overcome these risks, it is important to have an organized and deliberate absorption process. An open dialogue should be promoted between the veterans and the absorbed, allowing each party to share their concerns and build mutual understanding. In addition, community meetings, workshops, or joint activities can be organized that will build connections and allow everyone to feel a sense of belonging. The benefits of bringing new ideas should be emphasized, and a sense of partnership and involvement should be created among all community members, so that the veterans feel that they are part of the process and not disconnected from it
When the absorption of new people into the community is carried out with the understanding that it is part of a deep social renewal, a healthy process is created: the veterans cooperate in building something new, and the absorbed bring their unique contribution. In this way, a space for conversation, listening, and sharing is built, which creates a stronger social infrastructure. A new community is created, connected to its roots but open to growth
Don't expect to achieve new results if you stick to old patterns." (John Fairchild, journalist)
For the original article in Hebrew, click here
