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Tag Archives: Community development
A video introducing asset-based community development (ABCD)
This is a brief introduction to ABCD—asset-based community development (or asset-based community-led development)—produced by The Calabash Trust in South Africa. I like how it discusses the idea that the health of our minds and hearts affect our material well-being. Too much … Continue reading
Resources for churches on asset-based community development (ABCD)
A while ago somebody asked me about resources on strengths-based approaches to community development for churches. Here are some suggestions, mainly related to asset-based community-driven development (ABCD). Articles about ABCD and churches or faith communities. Barrett, A. (2013). Asset-based community … Continue reading
Reflections on community development vs community work
I’ve recently been thinking about the difference between community development and community work, and the importance of being clear about which is appropriate for a given context. These are fairly initial thoughts so I’d welcome any feedback or comments. In … Continue reading
Posted in Working with communities
Tagged Community development, Community work, For students
7 Comments
Updated my introduction to asset-based community development
I’ve just completed a major update of my post What is asset-based community development (ABCD)?, in preparation for a major revision to a course I’ve been teaching for a while. I’ve expanded on the importance of it being a community-driven … Continue reading
An example of asset-based community development
Asset-based community-driven development (ABCD) is built on four foundations (Kretzmann, 2010; Kretzmann & McKnight, 1993; Mathie & Cunningham, 2003): It focuses on community assets and strengths rather than problems and needs It identifies and mobilises individual and community assets, skills … Continue reading
The relationship between community engagement and community development
Community engagement is at the heart of community development. In her useful discussion of community development, Jessica Smart (2017) discusses the difference between community-based work “which involves the community”, and community development, “which is led by the community” (para. 5, … Continue reading
Updates to the reading list on ABCD
I’ve just updated the reading list on ABCD (over 100 resources). I’ve added nine articles or other resources. Most of them are fairly old (still worth looking at) but some of them are quire recent. Please let me know of any … Continue reading
Connecting Communities Conference
I’m looking forward to speaking next month at the Connecting Communities Conference organised by the Local Community Services Association (LCSA). The title of my talk is “Community development in a world of evidence-based practice” and this is what I’ve said … Continue reading
Navigating dilemmas of community development: Practitioner reflections on working with Aboriginal communities
Abstract Intrinsically, community development involves navigating dilemmas. These dilemmas have intensified as neoliberal “arts of government” become more widespread and a “results agenda” more entrenched. Recent studies explore how community development practitioners manage the ambiguities of this current context. This … Continue reading
A reading list on ABCD (over 150 resources)
[Updated 9 November 2019 to add new resources. Click here for a list of the new ones.] The following are readings I’ve collected about asset-based community development (ABCD) and other asset-based approaches to working with communities. (If you want you … Continue reading
Sustaining Community 