Community Development: Principles and Practices

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Community Development: Principles and Practices

to define regional economic development in the context of community development principles and practices

to analyze three models of organizational practice

Objectives:

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Objectives (contd)

to provide an historic overview of early community development efforts in the province

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Community Development: Principles and Practices

“Rural development is the participation of people in a mutual learning experience involving themselves, their local resources, external change agents, and outside resources. People cannot be developed. They can only develop themselves by participating in activities which affect their well-being. People are not being developed when they are herded like animals into new ventures.”

Julius Nyerere, 1968

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Historic Perspective

concentrated on jobs, resources, and infrastructure;

were in response to crises; showed a rejection of community “power

brokers”; and form the background of recent efforts of

the citizenry to control its own future.

Early efforts toward community development:

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Definitions

Community development: a process whereby the efforts of Government are united with those of the people to improve the social, cultural, and economic conditions in communities

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Definitions (contd)

Community: a “group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society” or a “body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic,

and political interests”

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Rural development: applications of community development principles outside of urban areas

Definitions (contd)

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Definitions (contd)

Regional development: applications of community development principles in geographical areas consistent with those specified for or in:

Regional Development Associations

Change and Challenge

Community Matters

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Principles

1. Community development is a holistic approach to addressing the community’s needs.

2. Community development is a process.

3. Empowerment results from influence, participation, and community

education.

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Principles (contd)

4. Development ensures environmental stewardship.

5. Development is tied to sustainability.

6. Partnerships provide access to resources.

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Social Development

means people are of primary importance; includes the “building of secure, just, free

and harmonious societies”; offers opportunities and humane

standards of living for all; and focuses on citizens’ rights to:

be nourishedbe housedbe securework.

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Cultural Development

proliferation of artists gaining international recognition and of poets, authors, and musicians

development of theater, festivals, and films

development of archaeological and historical sites

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Community Economic Development

is citizen-led; is dedicated to improving lifestyles

through: wealth distribution poverty reduction job creation; and

provides infrastructure in support of business development.

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Business Development

the practice of a commercial activity

associated with the production, supply,

or distribution of commodities for profit

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Participants’ Input 3.1

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Community Practice

(a) Social Action

(b) Social Planning

(c) Community Development

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Social ActionAgency Strategy Practitioner

1. Pressure 1. Crystallize 1. Organizer

group issues/options 2. Radical

2. Single issue 2. Confrontation 3. Charismatic

3. Political 3. Oppressed/ 4. Politician

4. Radical disadvantaged

4. “Saviour”

mentality Module 3

Social Planning

Agency Strategy Practitioner

1. Statistics- 1. Research 1. Social

oriented and analysis scientist

2. Specialist- 2. Data 2. Planner

oriented manipulation 3. Bureaucrat/

3. Institution/ 3. Professional academic

technical approach

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Community Development

Agency Strategy Practitioner

1. Citizen-led 1. Local 1. Local CD

2. Community- planning worker

owned 2. Public 2. Group process

3. Not-for- participation professional

profit 3. Consensus- 3. Adult

building educator

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Participants’ Input 3.2

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Regional Development Associations

the resettlement program; access to employment; out-migration and a lack of attention to

fishery development, creating community vulnerability; and

commitment to traditional lifestyles.

Early organizations were created as a result of:

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Early Impacts

“pressure tactics” formed original approach

alternatives to resettlement program government recognition MUN Extension Service assisted with

transition

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Government Response

establishment of Dept. of Rural Development in 1972 financial support for RDAs loans programs as a catalyst for

business development organizational and business support

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RDA Growth

Late 1960s 5 RDAs

1974 16 RDAs

1986 59 RDAs

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Influences

Planning lacked technical expertise/support.

“Make work” money became a distraction.

Programs addressed social rather than economic development.

Funds were targeted too specifically. Fishery development was emphasized.

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Sustainable Development

Development of Aquaculture IndustryUpper Trinity South Trout farmingBay d’Espoir Finfish breeding

and grow-outPort au Port Peninsula Scallop farmingNotre Dame Bay Mussel

farming

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Development (contd)

Fishery Development Support infrastructure Increased processing capabilities

Transportation Labrador winter trails

Tourism

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Development (contd)

Forestry Woods roads

Agriculture Growth in Credit Unions

Labrador coast Twillingate Carmenville Eastport St. Anthony

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The Dilemma

government funding VS locally-generated revenue

community development VS business development

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Community Futures (CF)

set up as a national program in 1986 Business Development Centres

(BDCs) as financial arm government appointed with no

community accountability

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Community Futures (contd)

seen as competition by RDAs developed strategic plans without

community ownership or buy-in no implementation capacity CFs and BDCs combined to form

CBDCs (Community Business Development Corporations) in 1995.

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The Beginning of the End or the End of the Beginning?

A collapse of the groundfishery created a community crisis.

There was a need to refocus regional development efforts.

Downsizing resulted in less money and greater accountability.

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Participants’ Input 3.3

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