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.