Mapping Achievable Tomorrows

Jones C¹*, Zulpo S¹*

1. Community Action Pty Ltd, Eumundi, Queensland, Australia

Mapping Achievable Tomorrows (MAT) is an innovative and accessible low technology tool which can be used in any setting, including remote, isolated and disenfranchised communities. MAT is a visual, graphics based interactive planning method, using simple mediums, able to be utilised to engage communities and individuals in the processes of good governance and community capacity building.

MAT’s success comes from the fact that it is a flexible and adaptable tool which can be used vertically through a community encapsulating the contributions of all relevant interest groups. It does not rely on participants’ having sophisticated literacy capacities or an understanding of governance methodologies. It accommodates, during one development session, any number of different stakeholders from any number of different backgrounds, understandings and agendas.

We have used MAT successfully to conduct sophisticated corporate strategic planning, good governance development in the not-for-profit sector, community development planning sessions and personal living plans for disengaged and/or disadvantaged individuals.

As well as presenting a theoretical overview of the rationale behind MAT and its use, we envisage our presentation would be interactive; demonstrating the development of a MAT for an hypothetical community, organisation or individual.

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