Community Development - from the NICVA Policy Manifesto
Posted by Feargal O'Kane on Feb 12 2007 under Community development, Policy Manifesto |
“Community development in Northern Ireland is a process which embraces community action, community service, community work and other community endeavour — whether geographical or issue-based — with an emphasis towards the disadvantaged, impoverished and powerless within society. Its values include participation, empowerment and self-help and while it is essentially about collective action, it helps to realise the potential of both individuals and groups within communities. In the interest of developing this potential, community development challenges prejudice, sectarianism and the unequal distribution of resources — both in terms of fi nancial resources and of access to skills and knowledge …”
Community Development Review in Northern Ireland, March 1991
Community development is about the participation of communities in the decisions which affect their lives; it is not simply about consultation. The proper process must be in place to ensure that people’s voices are heard. The community development process provides a route for all communities to engage with political parties, elected representatives, local councils and government in Northern Ireland.
Support for community development has increased in Northern Ireland through its vibrant voluntary and community sector. However, whilst government and local authorities accept the process, understanding and application are still patchy.
There is no clear strategic framework for community development in Northern Ireland. An opportunity now arises with the outworking of the Review of Public Administration which places responsibility for community development practice with the new local councils to develop a Strategic Framework supporting community development across all sectors.
Community development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of constant financial instability and the news of a Community Investment Fund with an initial £5 million established by government as part of ‘Positive Steps’ was very welcome indeed. This initial development needs to be built on and enhanced in the years to come.
- Political parties should commit to establishing a strategic framework, with reference to those working in the fi eld, for the long-term promotion of community development across all sectors and as a working method for engaging with communities across all public bodies. This should be informed by the National Occupational Standards for Community Development.
- A community development approach to engagement with the community should be incorporated into the community planning partnership process.
- An effective community development strategy across the seven local authorities should be developed and resourced. This strategy should build on existing local provision, develop and expand it, and build greater social capital in each area.
- Political parties should commit to the values underpinning community development and respect and promote the concept of self-help and community action conducted locally in a non-party political way. Communities should be assisted to analyse their own circumstances and develop their own ideas to infl uence the policies that impact on them.
- Comprehensive community development training programmes should be made available for staff from all sectors who engage with communities on policy development and in the delivery of key programmes to the community.
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