Affiliation: The Architectonic Capability in Community Engagement and Service-Learning

Abstract

The chapter interrogates the extent to which affiliation can be developed in and through community engagement and service-learning. It scrutinises the kind of affiliation developed given the power differentials among and between partners at the interface of poverty, inequality and privilege given the short-term, sporadic and ad hoc nature of projects. All community engagement and service-learning partners value the capability for affiliation as one of the overarching developed capabilities. Although the interpretations of affiliation differ among and between participants, a common thread that runs through them is that the design, implementation and evaluation of community engagement and service-learning should involve some form of critical affiliation. The capability for affiliation cuts across issues of community engagement and service-learning as a pedagogical strategy, co-learning, co-knowledge generation projects and spaces for values and skills exchange. While the capability for affiliation allows other capabilities and human development values to be fostered, it also enables community engagement and service-learning partners to accord each other dignity and respect.