alison gilchrist february 2014. introduction and overview my background and journey short guide to...
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A short guide to community development
Alison GilchristFebruary 2014
Introduction and overviewMy background and journeyShort Guide to CD as basis for my inputDefinitions and termsDevelopment of ‘what’?History and models of CDPractice – principles and processesCurrent debates and dilemmasFuture challengesConclude with time for questions and discussion
Definitions and terms CD as working with, not for, communities to
achieve improvements and address shared issues
Problems, priorities and solutions determined by communities themselves
Emphasis on shared concerns and collective strategies
Values-based – social justice, inclusion and equality, human rights (small ‘p’ politics)
Brief history Several roots Three broad modelsPhilanthropyParticipationPartnershipPedagogyPolitics
Changing the system - radical
Influencing the system - pluralist
Making the system work better – consensus
CD as development of ‘community’Self-help, organising for influence and action
Sense of belonging and solidarity
EfficacyCapacityResilienceSocial capitalActive citizenshipCommunity
engagement
Shared identityCohesionWell-beingMutual care and
respect VolunteeringCommunity pride/spirit
Processes and practice: 7 E’s all focused on interests of others rather than ‘self’
EnablingEmpoweringEncouraging
EducatingEqualisingEngagingEvaluating
Various modelsCommunity organising/actionNeighbourhood developmentCapacity buildingInformal educationCommunity engagement/active citizenshipSocial investment/community enterpriseCritical community practice User empowerment/co-productionAsset-based community developmentParticipatory action researchNetworking approaches
Debates and dilemmasSpecialist occupation, approach or movement?
‘Deficits’ versus ‘strengths’ analysisPower dimensions – local -> global levelsSocial justice – various understandings Organic emergence or external interventionRole awareness/boundaries/responsibilitiesOrientation/accountabilities
Current and future challengesEmployment situation and status Changing society and technology Invisible/precarious/contested job
National occupational standards Maverick individuals
Management difficultiesDemonstrating impact/measuring
value Policy-driven, short term Not community-led and long-
termFunding and recognition of
professional role
Re-configuring ‘community’geography, interest and
identity Intersectional identities Increasing diversity and more
mobile communitiesRising inequalities and povertyEveryday Internet usage
Social media, on-line networking
Digital disadvantage
Some concluding thoughtsPolicy shifts in recent decades
Partnership – contracts, user involvement, V+CS commissioning
Community engagement/empowermentLocalism – planning, community-run servicesBig Society – self-help, volunteering
Paradox – best CD is invisible, so constantly needs re-discovering by successive governments and generations
Potential – massive and enduring
Resources and readingGilchrist and Taylor (2011) Short guide to community
developmentCraig et al (2011) CD in the UK – a readerLedwith (2005) Community development – a critical
approachwww.iacdglobal.orgwww.fcdl.org.ukwww.cdf.org.uk
Questions for reflection and discussion
Would you say you using a CD approach in your work or your life?
Thinking about your own experience, do you recognise the opportunities and issues I have raised?
What’s been useful and what’s missing?
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