Community

A community is a group of persons having something in common. In this ordinary sense, there exists a plethora of human communities that share a territory, a city quarter, natural resources, a language, a culture, traditions, and much else. These place-based, socio-cultural communities are crucial for the work of the PKF Foundation.

But there also exist human communities that, while not being linked geographically or culturally, share one or more common values or concerns. The bond that create such communities is generally non-material.  It may be a professional, ideological or political bond; it may be a common vision, intent or shared responsibility.  Such communities are also very important for the work of the PKF Foundation.

The PKF Foundation has decided to interpret its mission with reference to diverse types of communities, but also to the fact that communities are dynamic constructions, and individuals rightfully belong to several communities, who become more or less important depending on varying conditions and needs.  A crucial feature of a community is its own sense of self, the coherence that characterises its members and the internal solidarity that defines it and gives it light.  Such solidarity never needs to be exclusive or divisive.  On the contrary, the capacity to create communities with diverse “others” in diverse circumstances appears crucial for humane, and humanist, living.