Exploring Community Strengths through the lens of Participatory Photography - In Conversation with Cormac Russell

In a recent episode of my podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Cormac Russell to talk about Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) and the power of participatory photography. Our conversation really made me reflect on the ways we approach community engagement and how a shift in mindset can open up new possibilities.

One of the most valuable takeaways from our conversation was the idea of focusing on the strengths and assets within a community, rather than starting from a place of needs or deficiencies. So often, we default to thinking about what’s missing in a community, rather than recognizing what’s already there. Cormac’s work in ABCD is all about flipping that narrative and empowering communities to define their own priorities and take action based on their strengths.

We also touched on the importance of building relationships and trust. In community work, there’s no shortcut to this. It’s not about going into a community with a solution ready to go—it's about working with people and recognizing their capabilities. One of the points Cormac made that really resonated with me is the need to relocate authority from institutions to communities themselves. It’s easy for organizations and institutions to fall into a paternalistic, top-down approach, but real change happens when communities are given the power to lead.

We also discussed the idea of "harmless help," a concept that will be central to Cormac’s upcoming book. The idea here is to move away from interventions that may unintentionally disempower people and instead focus on universal practices that truly support effective community engagement.

At the heart of our conversation was a shared belief in the power of community and the importance of recognizing the contributions of every individual. Communities have immense potential when they come together, and it’s our role as facilitators to support that process without imposing our own agendas.

If you’re interested in learning more about ABCD or hearing about Cormac’s work with community associations, I encourage you to listen to /watch the full episode. It’s an inspiring reminder of the power of storytelling, collaboration, and focusing on what’s possible when we work together.

The Our Creative Connection Podcast explores the intersection of the Arts and Social Change.

Join me as we learn how people all over the world are exploring the role that Creativity can play in their own communities and organisations. We’ll hear from thought leaders, practitioners & community members to share their stories & experiences.

Whether you're a community activist, a photographer, community development worker, or just curious about the intersection of the arts and social change, this podcast is for you!

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