Who is driving development? Reflections on the transformative potential of asset-based community development?

Date

2003-10

Authors

Mathie, Alison
Cunningham, Gord

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Coady International Institute, St. Francis Xavier University

Abstract

Arising out of a critique of needs-based approaches to development, Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) offers a set of principles to mobilize and sustain community economic development. This paper draws attention to the connections between these principles and practices and (i) current interest in sustainable livelihoods as a conceptual framework, (ii) the concept of social capital, (iii) the social psychology of mobilization, (iv) the enhancement capacity and agency to engage as citizens with the entitlements of citizenship, (v) the role of multiple stakeholders; and (vi) the issue of control over the development process. Finally the paper points to the challenges for NGOs employing an asset-based, community-driven approach given the needs-based, problem-solving paradigm in which they operate.

Description

Keywords

Coady International Institute, St. Francis Xavier University, Development, Asset-based Community Development, Citizen Engagement

Citation

Mathie, A., & Cunningham, G. (October 2003). Who is driving development? Reflections on the transformative potential of asset-based community development. Occasional Paper Series, No. 5. Coady International Institute, St. Francis Xavier University.