Community Development Practice Research Articles

Conceptualizing Different Forest Degradation Drivers with Special Reference to India

Forest deterioration has been a global issue in the 21st century as one of the most serious environmental issues. The costs of forests degradation is in reducing productivity and natural resources such as water, land, grassland etc. Deforestation affects the whole globe but it is of main concern of developing countries of the Tropics. Forest deterioration and deforestation are caused by a variety of factors that vary depending on the location. The main aim of the review is to analyse various forest degradation drivers and to establish keys to estimate the level of degradation. The various direct and indirect drivers of forest degradation are excessive mining, selective logging, population explosion, climatic-change, forest fires, biological invasion, agricultural land expansion and weak forest administration. One sort of sustainability in a managed forest is the system of several landowners, each with a modest multifunctional, multispecies plot. Other plan for sustainable development is eco-development programme, which is inter and multi-stakeholder method for connecting the conservation benefits of protected areas with community people's livelihoods and development practices in the environments around them. A shift toward whole-landscape management is required, with a focus on places with high levels of usage mixed with areas principally maintained for conservation, recreation, and water catchment. Some guidelines are being created, but more interactions between ecologists, foresters, social scientists, and economists are urgently needed.

Perceptions of occupational therapists in the United Kingdom on the applicability of the reflective framework for community development in occupational therapy

Introduction: Community development approaches are increasingly used by occupational therapists in response to occupational justice theory, which posits that both individuals and community groups may be denied access to meaningful occupations through societal powers outside their control. Previous research has found that occupational therapists feel insufficiently prepared for a role in community development and tend to use their general skill set, sometimes in combination with generic community development approaches. This study explored whether the reflective framework for community development in occupational therapy is applicable and useful for occupational therapists in the United Kingdom. Methods: A mixed methods approach was used, combining an online questionnaire and focus groups with occupational therapists who already work in community development. Findings were compared with the framework. Findings: The participants recognised most aspects of the Framework in their own practice, but some key aspects such as collaboration with the community at every stage were less prominent. They found the framework applicable to the UK context, particularly for occupational therapists inexperienced in community development practice. Conclusion: This study has highlighted community development practice by occupational therapists in the United Kingdom and concluded that the framework would support them in fulfilling this role more effectively.

Creating Social Innovation: Lesson Learned from Community Development Practice at PT ANTAM UBP Emas Pongkor and PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Unit III Plaju

Human’s intractable problems are pushing people around the globe to create innovation. Social innovation discussions and practices had becoming global requirement that transforming the important to the future development. The government of Indonesia, through its Ministry of Environment and Forest, has inserted social innovation into their newest legal code. Permen LHK No. 1 Tahun 2021, for instance, challenges corporations to enact social innovation to sweep all the problems away. Unfortunately, that kind of expectation doesn't followed by clear instructions from the government leaving firms in a confusing situation. Spearheaded by that deficiency, this research aims to adumbrate several conditions which support the creation of social innovation. By evaluating two community empowerment-based social innovations at PT ANTAM UBP Emas Pongkor and PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Unit III Plaju, this investigation wants to find out what is the specific precursor of social innovation. Using case study methodology, there are at least two factors contributing to social innovation in the community empowerment context. The first is scientific collaboration in the form of multidiscipline and interdiscipline. Second, social innovation needs the combination social responsibility model.

Social Sustainability and Community Development Practices: The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

Abstract The following is a case study of the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Alberta, Canada. The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity (Banff Centre) is located within the unique setting of the land known as Banff National Park, the first national park established in Canada (Parks Canada, 2018). Banff National Park lies within the traditional territory of the Treaty 7 First Nations, part of Canada’s larger Indigenous population who have been subjected to centuries of racism and exploitation by European settlers and their descendants. Truth and reconciliation policies and processes have received increasing attention in Canadian society, although actual practices often fall short of these principles.An aspiring leader in arts and creativity, the Banff Centre goes beyond its educational programming to engage in community development activities which support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP). The Banff Centre hosted a Truth and Reconciliation Summit in 2016, and followed up this summit with ongoing speaker series, strengthening relationships between locals and Treaty 7 First Nations who have lived in the area for thousands of years. VIU logo WLCE logo Information Vancouver Island University World Leisure Centre of Excellence © C.S. Collishaw, 2021

A community development story and portrayal of a phenomenological reflective practice in the social field of paediatric palliative care

Abstract This article is both a story of community development (CD) practice within the paediatric palliative care and bereavement space – and a portrayal of phenomenological reflective practice in the social field. The story and portrayal are about a tradition of work – understood as participatory CD – amplified, made more visible and alive by a phenomenological reflective practice. While the framework of participatory CD applied in the palliative care space will be thought provoking for readers, the unique contribution of this article is the use of phenomenological reflective practice, one rarely drawn upon within the CD field.

Skilling up a workforce in neoliberal times: a case study of professional learning in Neighbourhood Houses in Australia

ABSTRACT Neighbourhood Houses in Australia are community place-based organisations that provide education, support services, and develop responses to local issues with local communities. The practices within Neighbourhood Houses are informed by community development. Yet knowledge, understanding and practices of community development vary across the workforce. In 2019, Neighbourhood Houses Victoria commenced a programme of professional learning for the workforce. This paper draws on data from an impact evaluation and examines the benefits and barriers to embedding a professional learning programme in community development within its workforce. Using practice theory to examine the tensions and contradictions inherent in delivering professional learning in neoliberal times of managerialism and accountability in not-for-profit organisations. The contradictions of practice will resonate with organisations seeking to implement a professional learning across a broad range of human service organisations such as settlement houses, human services and community education settings. We claim most not-for-profit workforces are impacted by the discursive practices of neoliberalism such as contractual arrangements and the adoption of business practices to comply with funding requirements. These compliance requirements contrast with the philosophy and practices of community development and have the potential to impact on professional learning and the practices within these workplaces.

School-Centered Community Development and a Quest for Spatial Justice: Exploring Competing Theories of Action in Baltimore

The role of public education and schools in the struggle for spatial justice is underappreciated because school and neighborhood improvement have largely been viewed as distinct processes. This article builds a conceptual and empirical argument to explore the intersections of spatial and educational justice specifically in community development practice. We draw on qualitative data collected from a study of Baltimore’s twenty-first Century School Buildings Program and center meso-level actors – city agencies and the school district – to analyze how divergent theories of action that undergird community development can challenge cross-section implementation and coordination. We also reflect on potential pathways to align and integrate schools into community development practice. Our analysis contributes to understanding across disciplines by incorporating schools in the constellation of actors in community development practice, and in doing so augments foundational theories of urban justice and community development.

Community capacity influencing community participation: Evidence from Ethiopia

Community capacity and community participation have been dominant terminologies in the community development discourse recently. The two concepts also constitute a central position in the practice of community development. Our study aimed to examine the dimensions of community capacity that influence community participation of rural residents in Yirgachefe district, Ethiopia. We collected data from 360 respondents, who were all heads of households and analyzed them using descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression to determine which variables predicted higher rates of community participation. Our study finds that older people, more educated, and higher income earners were more likely to participate in their community, while the social position of respondents negatively influenced participation. Among community capacity indicators, residents’ perceptions of community problem assessment skills, respondents’ sense of community, and community connectedness were significant predictors of community participation. These findings suggest that expansion of educational service and vocational training to enhance capacity and initiation of strong community networking mechanisms and social activities would augment participation. Our findings also add to the limited literature pertaining to community capacity and community participation notably in the sub-Saharan region.

Placing U.S. Federal Housing Policy on a Secure Foundation: The SHELTER Plan

Problem, research strategy, and findings U.S. housing advocates have called for a fundamental rethinking of the nation’s federal housing policies. In this study, I examined the geographic and household-level consequences of a plan that redistributes federal income tax expenditures from homeowners to very-low-income households. I propose, defend, and illustrate the effects of the SHELTER plan, a redistributive policy that a) is revenue neutral, b) is tenure neutral, c) is progressive, d) prioritizes local redistribution, and e) targets excess revenues to affordable housing production subsidies in communities where an increase in cash-based housing assistance is most likely to inflate housing rents. I demonstrate that the savings from the elimination of four homeownership tax expenditures would provide more than enough revenue to fund a universal housing allowance for all very-low-income households. Ignoring housing market adjustments, the plan would reduce housing cost burdens for the nation’s very-low-income renters by 36% and reduce very-low-income homeowners’ cost burdens by 28%. Takeaway for practice The SHELTER plan would provide a new foundation for local affordable housing and community development practice. Very-low-income households would receive a guaranteed housing allowance with no strings attached and local planners would have new roles in the design and implementation of localized solutions to the affordable housing crisis.

Community development and community food in Lincolnshire, United Kingdom: The limitations of neoclassical economics

ABSTRACT Community development in the UK has moved from private philanthropy in the early 20th Century through welfarism to a ‘marketisation’ in the 21st Century with both state contracts, and market-based performance measures. But neoclassical economics, on which such marketization is based, is an inadequate measure of community development practice as it does not accommodate a range of inequalities, spatial differences, changes over time, market failures and externalities, all of which are at the core of community food projects. Whilst community food projects address market failures, they can use innovative market mechanisms to “cushion” some of these neoclassical economics failings. A number of practical examples is offered, from Lincolnshire UK, of such innovations in relation to community food production, and environmental, food waste, and food poverty externalities.

Kesadaran Sosial Dalam Pemikiran Nietzsche: Tinjauan Dalam Proses Pengembangan Masyarakat di Indonesia

This article discusses the social consciousness that every human being should have. Community development in the realm of science and practice has awareness in a change, exploring the potential so that the community can grow for the better. Friedrich Williams Nietzsche,a philosopher who was considered extreme in his thinking, thus gave rise to pros and cons. God Is Dead or God Is Dead is a long conversation. According to the word Zarathusta, Nietzsche's work on God is dead. God has been killed, showing an act of making changes and growing awareness in society. The method used is qualitative descriptive with literature studies and tracing case studies related to community development. The results of the research obtained in every community development practice with various models such as tourism, economy and others require public awareness to move. With such understanding every community can grow and be independent in building villages and cities. As Nietzsche explained, it is only a network of human relationships and it is only under such conditions that consciousness develops.

Surveillance of gully erosion in Damagum Town and environs, Fune Local Government Area, Yobe State of Nigeria

This study assessed the causes of gully erosion in Damagum town and environs, mapped out the gully affected areas, and recommended possible solutions to the menace. Data used included both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were generated through measurement, soil laboratory analyses, use of camera and taking coordinates to generate GIS maps. The secondary data, including rainfall data and other relevant journals, was used to justify findings where necessary. The causes of the gully erosion in the study area were assessed based on the physical and anthropogenic factors. However, for the mapping purpose, areas most affected by the gully erosion were purposively selected, covering about 2000m distance. In addition, the natural elements were examined by determining the slope, elevation, stream pattern, flow direction, rainfall data and land used land cover of the study area. Hence, the study concludes that the major causes of the problem of gully erosion include both natural and anthropogenic factors via sand excavation. Lastly, the following recommendations were made, the government should encourage people to engage in community development practices. Furthermore, the government needs to construct drainage systems and repair the collapsed ones in the study area. Finally, there is a need for law enforcement against those violating the environment, such as dumping waste within the drainage system and sand excavation.

Pelatihan Pembibitan secara Generatif dan Vegetatif bagi Petani di Kelurahan Setapuk Besar, Kota Singkawang

The reduction in forested land in the hills has already affected the Setapuk Besar community. When there were rains with high enough intensity, the Setapuk Besar area often experienced flooding and entered a flood-prone. One way to minimize flooding that occurs is to plant trees in the upstream area, which begins with preparing good seeds for planting. The training aims to provide practical knowledge and skills to the community, especially farmers in Setapuk Besar Village and vegetative agricultural and forestry plantations to plant in yards and hills. The method used the community development practice method, equipped with a participatory and educational approach. Through counseling and training, there are increase participant's knowledge, skill on plant propagation. Plant propagation's expertise and skill positively impact land improvement efforts in hilly areas and community economic empowerment by opening nurseries, especially for superior species in the Setapuk Besar area.

Documentary Review – Two Roles in Urban Community Revitalization: Julian Price the Philanthropist and Cooperative Extension

Julian Price used his inherited wealth to revitalize downtown Asheville, North Carolina. This documentary review reflects on his passion for community, and the concepts he believed would bring the city back from decay. Some of those same community development practices are successfully used across the country by Extension professionals to assist urban communities in revitalization. Examples of Extension programs and techniques are provided throughout this review about an inspiring documentary about a man looking for purpose and finding it by transforming a troubled downtown with his generosity.

From Theory to Practice: The Process of Participatory Theatre in Community Development

A major concern in community development is the application of various theories, practices, and models that are relevant to the development agenda of the selected community. Participatory theatre practice has been identified as one of such models linking theory and practice in a community development process. Students undergoing training in participatory theatre and community development are introduced to several theories and concepts whose application in the field of work may be quite different from the classroom experience. This paper explores pertinent participatory theatre theories, concepts, and ideals and how they can be effectively put to use at the communal level to achieve an expected outcome. The paper aims to present an easy practical approach to participatory theatre practice in community development.

Bolstering community well-being through wildlife conservation: Broadened approaches engaging wildlife well-being and indigenous wisdom

ABSTRACT This perspective article highlights the global well-being movement within and beyond community development, which can be informed to examine the interconnections between wildlife well-being and human well-being. COVID-19ʹs global impact has brought into sharp focus the magnitude of the social, economic, and environmental crises facing leaders, communities, nations, wildlife, and the planet. Post-COVID-19, community development research, policy, and practice require comprehensive approaches addressing social unrest, climate, and biodiversity in tandem. This article showcases how community development professionals can leverage wildlife conservation to bolster and mutually reinforce community well-being, drawing on the natural and cultural capital literature, which can inform empirical research, theory, and practice. This article guides community development professionals to link wildlife capital/well-being to human well-being, embrace Indigenous wisdom around conservation, and build upon momentum in scientific inquiry around well-being measures. This perspective article concludes showcasing how community well-being pursuits can integrate wildlife and local wisdom in community development.

Investing In Communities: Forging New Ground in Corporate Community Codevelopment through Relational and Psychological Pathways

Within management scholarship and practice, corporate community investments are heralded as an important form of corporate social responsibility. Yet, community development scholars have engaged in discourse and debate regarding corporate community investment, surmising that in some instances it does more harm than good. Where management research has not focused—and can substantially contribute to both theory and practice—is on how to implement corporate community investment for mutual gain. Integrating the fields of management and community development, I provide an evidence-based theory for understanding corporate community codevelopment, addressing relational and psychological pathways for behavioral change. This model emerged from a longitudinal qualitative ethnographic study of corporate-community investment programs, involving 1,176 hours of observations, 63 interviews, as well as narratives and reflections from participants representing 11 large corporations, at-risk remote Indigenous Australian communities, and a nonprofit organization. The 35 programs in focus involved initiatives such as family income management, educational trusts, literacy programs, and nutritional and substance abuse campaigns. The results in competency-building and community development have exceeded the expectations of all parties. Implications for theory, research, policy, and practice in management and community development are included.

ВІДНОВЛЕННЯ ТА РОЗВИТОК ПІДПРИЄМНИЦТВА В УКРАЇНІ НА ОСНОВІ ESG-КОНЦЕПЦІЇ

The article examines the evolution of conceptual views on the sustainable development of the planetary system from the theory of the noosphere by V.I. Vernadsky to the modern paradigm of sustainable development of society. The essence of the global goals of sustainable development until 2030, which reflect the scale and direction of the new agenda of mankind, is revealed. It is determined that the ESG-concept is a practical tool for the participation of the business sector in achieving the goals of sustainable development. The urgency of responsible activity of business structures for the restoration of public life in Ukraine in the postwar period is emphasized. The main aspects of ESG-concept as an environmental, social, and management triangle of the formation of sustainable viability of enterprises are highlighted. The positive impact of environmental and social risk management on the long-term market value of companies is substantiated. It is determined that the main driving forces of the implementation of ESG-principles in the private sector, include investors, international organizations, international banks of development, governments, consumers. The application of the ESG-principles in Ukraine on the example of the ESG-strategy until 2030 of the DTEK Group is studied, and their priorities for participation in achieving the goals of sustainable development are highlighted. The main directions of activity of socially responsible domestic enterprises are determined: labor relations, environmental responsibility, consumer relations, community development, and anti-corruption practices. It is proved that the disclosure of non-financial information and ensuring the transparency of companies' activities is another new process in Ukraine, which is complicated by the lack of generally accepted standards for non-financial information disclosure. The article identifies the main problems of wide application of ESG-concept in the practical activities of the business sector and substantiates the directions of intensification of this process, including: leadership and strengthening the influence of large companies on the implementation of economic agents ESG-principles; implementation of socially responsible investment by financial structures; standardization of the content and process of disclosure of non-financial information; popularization and explanation of the essence and role of ESG-concepts for the development of the business sector; training of competent specialists in this field.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRACTITIONER PROFILING FOR OCCUPATIONAL PROFESSIONALISATION, SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND CONTINUOUS QUALITY ASSURANCE

Regardless of the worldwide acknowledgement of the importance of community development, the challenge of professional occupational recognition remains, intensified by the lack of practitioner profile data. Raising practice standards through standardised, cohesive and effective movements drives professionalism, guided by a practice policy framework that describes its practitioners’ ethical code, standardised and quality-assured knowledge and skills to be measured against regulated occupational norms and standards. This article provides a broad overview of the requirements for occupational professionalisation linked to a countrywide practitioner profile survey conducted to inform the South African Community Development Practice Policy Framework that guides occupational professionalism pre- and post-professionalisation. Keywords: community development, community development practitioners, continuous professional development, practice policy framework, practitioner profiling, professionalisation

Pedagogias dentro do currículo de terapia ocupacional: centrando uma práxis decolonial na prática de desenvolvimento comunitário

Abstract Introduction Critical occupational therapy aims to promote occupational justice through addressing the social determinants of health and the socio-political structures that affect peoples’ occupational engagement. Objective This paper reports on two objectives from a case study, namely: To describe the teaching and learning practices in South Africa, University of Cape Town Occupational Therapy, Community Development Practice curriculum, and the pedagogy informing it. Method Multiple methods were used as data in the construction of the case. These included the review of curriculum documents and a focus group discussion with academics who teach on the programme. These academics also wrote reflective journal entries which were included in our analysis. Data was analysed using a critical interpretive synthesis. Results An overarching theme emerged, namely “Modelling a development processes in a teaching and learning alliance”. This theme identified our key pedagogical approach, illustrating how a decolonial praxis that involves consciously resisting coloniality in the design and implementation of the curriculum occurred. This was made possible through pedagogical actions embedded in the approach and reflected in three categories: “Partnering to bring our critically reflexive and authentic selves”; “The labour of working with individual and systemic processes of struggle” and “Being committed to facing uncertainty together”. Conclusion Our interpretation of our pedagogical approach within the curriculum demonstrates how decolonial pedagogies open up pathways that promote the kind of dialogic and transformative learning that is important for critical occupational therapy. These decolonial pedagogies hold significance for addressing health inequities and developing a justice-oriented profession.