Community Engagement (www.wcmt.org.uk)

Attended a meeting with the Baltimore City Schools director, community organisations, and Johns Hopkins. The meeting centred around community intervention programmes for high risk schools, who young people are experiencing some serious social problems. It was similar to discussions in the UK, however the presence of Johns Hopkin's made a big difference. I made a few inputs and felt comfortable with my sharing and level of understanding of the issues being discussed. The recurring themes were lack of monies, communities not feeling empowered by commissioning bodies, the absence of a coordinated approach to addressing the issues young people face. Many thoughts came to mind. Namely, why is there no transatlantic link that would connect us in the UK to those in the US, where there would be mutually agreed objectives for real partnership working. When asking that question, the response was simply, no-one has really brought it to fruition. Not that it can't or won;t be done. It just requires proper coordination.

On leaving the meeting I was introduced to Professor Sheppard Kellam, who was a founder member of the mental health department in Johns Hopkins that deals with young people and violence. His insights, passion, and understanding of the issues was overwhelming. Here is a guy who has conducted significant research studies, still based at the university, who gave me some of his time. He presented me with a journal of a major piece of research he and his colleagues had conducted over many years and suggested I study it as part of my own awareness of the international context for some of my own work. After about an hour I had to leave Professor Kellam who had other appointments. I thanked him and went on my way.

In conclusion, the sheer numbers of those men in Baltimore who have been arrested, incarcerated, died, have joined gangs, and so on, brought me to another realisation. How is the impact of the loss of such a large volume of men managed by the families and communities who are left behind?

As I reflect on my work on manhood, masculinity, with an emphasis on fatherhood, I realise that the journey may be long, but I'm actually on the right track.

Peace