Community development - a value-driven affair

Sheridan, L. A. (2020) Community development - a value-driven affair. Radical Community Work Journal, 4(2),

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Publisher's URL: http://www.rcwjournal.org/ojs/index.php/radcw/article/view/79

Abstract

The article focuses on community development as a value-driven process. The foundational belief is that communities are powerful and are agents of positive change. Through self-direction, or with the support of community workers, communities can achieve positive outcomes in the pursuit of social justice for all. The article explores how a range of theories and approaches from Paulo Freire (1996; 2000), Cooperrider et al. (2008) and Saul Alinksy (1971) among others - are useful in bringing values to life in day-to-day practice and exemplifies good practice that aims to achieve positive outcomes within communities. Value-driven community development involves communities moving beyond having the ability to act, to acting with others to challenge injustice and inequality within society. The article suggests that understanding the dynamics of power is at the heart of value-driven community development practice and discusses ideas from Ledwith (2020), Gaventa (2006) and others. In bringing values to life in day-to-day practice, communities are enabled and supported to exercise power as individuals, and power with others through collective action, for positive social change.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Community development, Paulo Freire, alfirmo, values.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Sheridan, Dr Louise
Authors: Sheridan, L. A.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Social Justice Place and Lifelong Education
College of Social Sciences > School of Education > People, Place & Social Change
Research Group:People, Place and Social Change (Formerly Social Justice, Place and Lifelong Education)
Journal Name:Radical Community Work Journal
Journal Abbr.:RCWJ
Publisher:Radical Community Work Journal
ISSN:2399-178X
Published Online:18 December 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 Radical Community Work Journal
First Published:First published in Radical Community Work Journal 4(2)
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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