Opening up creative resources: towards age-friendly communities through rhizomatic thinking and doing.

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Community Health
• Knowledge Mobilization

Background:

• Complex global issues such as population aging and health inequalities require innovative solutions.
• Existing community initiatives often lack citizen perspectives and knowledge remains localized.
• There is a need for more horizontal and inclusive approaches to knowledge mobilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify characteristics of a horizontal, emergent, and plural epistemology.
• To explore the application of dynamic knowledge synthesis in local networks.
• To foster citizen inclusion in creating sustainable local communities.

Main Methods:

• Case study of local networks building age-friendly communities in the Netherlands.
• Utilized dynamic knowledge synthesis with members of 110 local networks.
• Employed participatory arts-based methods and 'wicked skills' within a learning community.

Main Results:

• Dynamic knowledge synthesis facilitated fruitful interactions and learning among diverse stakeholders.
• Four working principles (rhizomatic design, fertile soil, wicked skills, ecosystem metaphor) guided the process.
• The approach promoted a more inclusive and emergent knowledge mobilization.

Conclusions:

• Dynamic knowledge synthesis offers a viable methodology for addressing complex societal challenges.
• Integrating citizen voices is crucial for developing sustainable and responsive local communities.
• Further experimentation with dynamic knowledge synthesis is encouraged to foster multi-level connections.