Biography
Peter Kenyon is a social capitalist and community enthusiast. Over the last two decades he has worked with over 1000 communities throughout Australia and overseas seeking to facilitate fresh and creative ways that stimulate community and economic renewal. He is motivated by the desire to create healthy, caring, inclusive, sustainable and enterprising communities and local economies.
Peter has had a background as a youth worker, teacher, youth education officer, and tertiary lecturer. His employment experiences have also included Director of Employment in Western Australia, Manager of the Community Employment Development Unit in New Zealand and Coordinator of the Natal Kwazulu Job Creation and Enterprise Strategy in South Africa.
Peter is convinced that one cannot develop communities from the top down or from the outside in. It requires communities to build from the inside out, and for their residents to invest themselves, ideas, assets and resources in the process. Peter created the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. (Initiatives for the Development of Enterprising Action and Strategies) to promote such a paradigm shift and assist with the necessary facilitation, ideas and skills.
Peter's consulting work has resulted in assignments in 53 countries and all states of Australia. From 2004, Peter has spent part of each year working in a range of Middle East and North African countries assisting with the development of national youth policies and strategies.
Peter has authored 16 publications within the fields of community and economic development, youth policy development and youth enterprise.
Since 2008, Peter has had the following roles:
- Chairperson of the International Council on National Youth Policy
- Master Consultant/Trainer for the Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Program in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
- Project Manager for the formulation and implementation of national youth strategies in Somalia and Bahrain
- Project Director for C.R.E.A.T.E Initiative (Creating Rural Entrepreneurial Attitudes through Education) and State Coordinator for r u MAD? (Are You Making A Difference?) Program
- Program consultant with the Community Planning Initiative in the State of Victoria
- Keynote Presenter at 35 conferences in Australia, USA, Canada, Africa and New Zealand
- Facilitator of community, economic and youth strategies
Each of these roles illustrate Peter's diverse interest in community, youth and economic development.
Testimonials
Excellent. Peter was brilliant. His passion and energy kept the groups captivated.
Serde
Great presentation. Excellent feedback. Very relevant message for any small business
Peel Business Enterprise Centre
Many thanks for your inspirational address at the recent ICANZ Conference in Hamilton. One of the highlights of the conference and I believe has a huge amount to offer to the development of our businesses
Primary Sector Conference, Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand
I thoroughly enjoyed Thursday morning's presentation and my guests were all impressed and really appreciative that I invited them. A great success.
Terrific Trading
It must have been a successful evening as people haven’t stopped talking about it…it certainly generated lots of new ideas!
Wheatbelt Area Consultative Committee
Thank you,.... I really enjoyed the presentation and love the book. All very inspirational and an excellent guide for my future ambitions in the country.
Feature Creatures Indoor/Outdoor Art
We were able to gain a lot of valuable information from your session. Especially in the context of Pacific communities. We hope to be in touch soon.
National Crime Prevention Conference
Nola and I drove all the way back to Faversham talking about ideas and improvements to our business and strategies. We found Peter’s enthusiasm very infectious and have already discussed the presentation and ideas with friends from other businesses.
Faversham House, York WA
Friday evening was an outstanding success! a motivational speaker Peter (Kenyon) is in the very highest echelon. His vigorous & passionate enthusiasm for his topic, serves to unify his audience to levels of positive progression rarely seen.
Northam Business Enterprise Centre
I was totally inspired by your presentation, in particular your passion and can do attitude. I am a raving fan and have told all who will listen about your ideas and testimonies.... Once again thanks for you inspirational words and real life examples. I am endeavouring to implement them into my vocation (banking) and my volunteer activities (family, coaching). The world needs people with your passion.
Agribusiness Manager, Southland Building Society
I attended a recent meeting of yours in Hermanus, South Africa, and was really struck by the impact an individual can have on the empowerment of an entire community. Thankyou so much for your insight and dedication. I am 23 years old - but failed to put up my hand when you asked for some contribution from the youth! Alas! But I have now determined to get involved in contributing to the uplifting of the local communities wherever I can...
AGES Tours (Africa Geo Environmental Services
I would like to thank you for the keynote address you delivered at our conference (Local Government New Zealand Conference 2004) in Auckland recently. Your contribution was extremely well received by delegates. Your participation in our conference helped us achieve our goal of stimulating and informing delegates as well as educating them on the big issues and opportunities facing the local government sector...
Local Government New Zealand
Our staff were moved by the passion you showed while giving your presentation and the experiences you shared. Staff have learned a great deal from you and we can see how our rural Ontario issues are universal. Your presentations were the highlight of our conference and each presentation you made was different and a success...
Rural Development Division Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs
What a wonderful day I had yesterday - I was so inspired to hear your story and so encouraged by our time together! I have had three students contact me already this morning to tell me how excited they were about the presentation and the possibilities of working in community development.
Coordinator of Behavioural Science, University of Notre Dame Australia
It was truly a privilege having you in Ontario to speak to our Rural Development Division staff and ministry senior management. Your presentations informed, inspired and provided wonderful insights and practical examples of how effective rural community development can occur. Many of the participants accepted your thoughtful observations as personal challenges. It was clear from the outset that rural development challenges and opportunities are the same whether in rural Australia or rural Ontario. We appreciated the opportunity to learn from your extensive international experience in the area of community capacity building, community revitalization and entrepreneurship. Thank you for re-affirming for us the value of the fact that, ‘the wisdom of the community exceeds the knowledge of the experts’. ...
Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing, Ontario Canada
Your presentation really got the heart of our community members and I thank you for coming and spending time with us. It is a very rewarding activity, and I hope that I can do it all again in the future.
Department of State and Regional Development Riverina-Murray
I was privileged to hear you speak about the importance and value of rural communities...I appreciate your time and I was very moved by your talk. You ignite passion in people which is what I too am attempting to pass on.
Diane Mortimer, Wagga Wagga
