Community

Question 1

What is a community (Kenny, 2011)?

Answer 1

Generally community “starts with the idea of a group of people with a common identity, or it may be self-defined on the basis of shared political or other special interests.” (Kenny, 2011 p.45)

Question 2

5 Characteristics of Community (Ife):

Answer 2

1. Human scale (interactions amongst people).
2. Identity and belonging.
3. Obligations.
4. Gemeinschaft (close association with others).
5. Culture

Question 3

Alternative Development (3):

Answer 3

• Local level development and use of local resources.
• Indigenous leadership.
• Addressing structures of disempowerment.

Question 4

The Wisdom of the Oppressed, and Development from Below (3):

Answer 4

• The ‘expert’ is a resource rather than a source of wisdom.
• Consciousness raising ensures the voices of the oppressed are heard.
• The community should be able to determine its own needs and how they should be met.

Question 5

What is community development/community work?

Answer 5

According to Kenny (page 8) Community Development is a method for empowering communities to take collective control and responsibility for their own development.

Question 6

Aim of community work (5):

Answer 6

• Work to reduce dicrimination and inequalities.
• Promote social justice, especially with marginalised groups.
• Develop leadership
• Promote community agency (skills and knowledge).
• Ensuring stablility via passing on of knowledge and skills.

Question 7

Ecological and social justice in community development:

Answer 7

Both aspects are inadequate without the other. There is not much point in working toward sustainability in a world of oppression, inequality and injustice. Similarly, there is no point in working for social and economic justice in an unsustainable world.

Question 8

The European Enlightenment:

Answer 8

Ideas of human reason and scientific objectivity rules over all.

Question 9

How the European Enlightenment can impede community development (4):

Answer 9

• Individualism.
• No consideration of the secular.
• Colonialism.
• Top down expertise.