Research of Youth Community Education and Development of Local Cultural Industries

Abstract

Since the Executive Yuan of Taiwan began promoting “Six-star Plan for New Communities in Taiwan” in 2005, learning systems have been established for school, community, and local education. In recent years, this has affected youths in understanding public affairs and in actively participating in community service. Thus, the researcher combined learning experiences and youth action based on love of the locale, holding a 2-day woodworking workshop at the “camphor office” in Jiji Township in Nantou County. With the historical site as the base of action, the study explores the developmental trajectory of the practice of youth action and local culture and creativity.This study used action research and participatory design, through the cultural symposium of community education, youths can practically participate in design and reinvigorate old buildings in the communities. The study found the following issues: (1) Arranging for courses relating to community education can consolidate community consensus; (2) People have insufficient industrial knowledge, and insufficient knowledge about the historical contexts of past local industries; (3) Community education may be customized in design based on locality. The following suggestions are provided: (1) Youth action and external elite design can reinvigorate contextual space; (2) Through community education courses, strengthen industrial and cultural knowledge; (3) The necessary paths to promoting community sustainability are to elevate overall community quality and establish specialty developments. In summary of these issues and suggestions, the study provides maximum benefits to expansion of community education and local cultural industries.