Do the actions and agency of citizens in civil society affect the public sphere? Whether these people and their activities contribute a discourse of the public or only a marginal realm is critical to understanding the relationship among community development, civil society, and social change. (Author/JOW)

Argues that the metaphor of "networks" is valid only in reference to formal relationships, not informal connections such as self-help groups or family and friends. Evaluates uses of network analysis and concludes that "circle" may be a better metaphor for informal connections. Contains 63 references. (SK)

Describes a model of professional intervention for community workers. The various roles of the community worker are also examined. These include the role of researcher, social policy analyst, enabler, social planner, program developer, organizer, rehabilitator, coordinator, educator, and mediator. Differences between community work theory and…

Oxfam is using a sustainable livelihoods framework in its antipoverty programs. Identifying assets and asset gaps illuminated gender difference in asset bases and survival strategies as well as the huge impact of the state on livelihood choices. (SK)

An approach to integrating casework and community development includes the practices of empowerment, community building, and social action. The aim is to give disadvantaged people more choice and control over their lives. (Contains 14 references.) (SK)

Principles of feminist community action--working against inegalitarian social relations, promoting egalitarian working relations, self-reflection; and evaluation--are explained and demonstrated with the example of the Greenham Commons Women's Peace Movement in Britain. (SK)

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have often worked in opposition to apartheid in South Africa. Experiences in Africa and Latin America show the inherently problematic nature of government-NGO relations. Their future in a more democratic South Africa may be in delivering needed social and educational services. (SK)

Profiles community development training in Australia, Sri Lanka, and Fiji--formal accredited courses as well as nonformal training, methods, and venues. (SK)

This description of the Canadian government's assessment of the social impact of hydrocarbon exploration in the Arctic demonstrates barriers to citizen involvement: ad hoc nature, travel and child care problems, and lack of enough volunteers. Recommendations for community participation in impact assessment are given. (SK)

Interviews with 27 "outsider" community development workers explored such issues as who benefits from outsider intervention, raising unrealistic expectations, and differing levels of risk. Workers must be aware of their considerable power (information, connections, and expertise) and the values that shape their use of it. (SK)

Interviews with 55 British and 40 Australian community development practitioners identified common phases experienced under New Right governments: retreat/isolation, adaptation/defense, and rebuilding. Britain's experiences suggest that community development practice is resilient, but reliance on government funding may restrain activism. (Contains…

Funding for community development in Ireland promotes a conflict management approach. Defining women's roles as apart from conflict is a political maneuver that does not aid reduction of conflict, obscures women's political agency, and limits the access of women's organizations to funding. (Contains 52 references.) (SK)

Argues that community development is an appropriate arena for using participatory research techniques, since community development depends strongly on citizen involvement. Features a case study of use of the participatory research technique in a project aimed at attacking rural poverty in Nigeria. (CH)

Using Kindervatter's model of nonformal education, the author interviewed community health workers in London to assess their contribution to the empowerment of community health groups. Results indicate that a minority of projects have succeeded in integrating reflection and action and are involved in an empowering process. (Author/JOW)

Explores the causes of the demise of community development and shows how a community development department could become the major agency for social and economic development. (JOW)