Editorial: Revitalizing community development in theory and practice?

Abstract

This collection of selected papers was initially presented at an international symposium on 3–5 September 2009 organized by the Community Development Journal. The Symposium, ‘Community Development in an Age of Uncertainty: Connections and Fragmentations’, brought together some of the world’s leading experts in the field. The Symposium highlighted four broad themes against which we invited papers. These were: migration, identities, citizenship and belonging; consensus, challenge and conflict; community, renewal and sustainability; agency, organizing and processes. The invited participants were drawn from the Journal’s Editorial Board and International Advisory Board, as well as a number of internationally renowned scholars and practitioners. The Symposium brought together participants from North America, Australasia, southern Africa, Latin America, the Indian sub-continent and Europe. In addition to the 3-day event held in London, we were also able to organize a number of follow-up UK regional practitioner-focused seminars and workshops, in Scotland, Wales and northern England, focused on similar themes and to which Symposium participants were able to contribute. In organizing the Symposium and regional events, the Board’s primary purpose was to ensure that papers would contribute through critical reflection to the re-energizing of the theoretical frameworks, values and practices in community development within a global context. Although the symposium required substantial planning, logistical support and funding, it was not the first time the Board has sponsored or supported events such as seminars, workshops, conferences and publications. Such activities are seen as a critical part of CDJ’s mission to facilitate and disseminate critical ideas and theorizing to enrich the global practices of community development. This first of two volumes offers a selection of Symposium papers and attests to the quality of the contributions.