Welfare Reform on the Web (December 2005): Community Regeneration and Development - Overseas

Community development across borders: avoiding dangerous practices in a globalizing world

L. Dominelli

International Social Work, vol.48, 2005, p.702-713

Community development has a long history of taking lessons learnt in one locality and applying them in another. In a globalizing world with permeable borders where skilled workers move from one locale to another, it is essential that these exchanges are neither exploitative nor disrespectful of the local community. Engaging diverse peoples as equals in the community development process requires awareness of local traditions, languages and resources. Article considers how to avoid the imposition of inappropriate community development models.