An action research on revitalization of community organization and development of new leadership

efforts toward inheritance of ‘Mano Community Development’ and creation of new strategy

Abstract

Mano Area in Kobe City has been receiving attention as a pioneer case of local community organization led by ‘Mano Area Association for Promotion of Community Development’ for fifty years. However, Mano Area, as the cases in other areas, is faced with aging of leaders, stagnant activities and gap between young generation and local organization. This paper aims to clarify the current situation and challenges by questionnaire survey to all households, to revitalize the organization and to produce a new community leader by action research. The survey successfully revealed the importance of local community as a basic autonomous unit, the possibility of contribution to the community development by families with small children and the polarization in patterns of new comers. The action research achieved to raise awareness of community people.