Reviews eight books: "Autonomous Development" (R. Carmen); "Community Power and Grassroots Democracy" (M. Kaufman, H. Alfonso); "Questioning Empowerment" (J. Rowlands); "Seeking a Balance" (A. Fowler); "Funding Community Initiatives" (S. Arrossi et al.); "Whose Voice?" (J. Holland, J.…

Community auditing is an empowering process enabling communities to participate in research, identify its focus, and have ownership. Comparison with other methods shows how auditing supports real participation, not mere consultation. (SK)

Rural women in less-developed nations use fuels that can be toxic and are becoming scarce. Feminist, sociological, and community-development issues were involved in the process of introducing clear-burning fuel, enabling a focus on both the effects on the health of fuel users and concern for ecological sustainability. (SK)

The authors outline a community organization course that develops a casework approach to social change. The course features a community organizing project. (CH)

Discusses the objectives of this special issue--women, poverty, and community development--and key issues raised by these subjects, including the changing role of the family, generating income through credit and savings, understanding women's fifth world, overcoming poverty and powerlessness, and changing stereotyped roles. (CT)

Explores how nonformal education contributes to the quality of life in Israel's Kibbutzim. The focus is on basic life functions that provide criteria for the successful development of individuals and communities. (CT)

A development project in a poor east Indian community used community development and sustainable livelihoods methods that understated the critical importance of rank, caste, and power relations. Implemented out of context, these models became obstacles to survival and development. (Contains 16 references.) (SK)

A survey of 45 managers of South African welfare agencies found that post-apartheid policy seeks to increase community participation and decrease racial inequities in governing boards. However, social integration in terms of race, gender, and class has not yet been achieved. (Contains 34 references.) (SK)

Emphasis on creating job-related skills for employer needs and linking training to the development of entrepreneurship has raised fears in Wales about its effect on depressed communities. (JOW)

Interviews with 72 volunteers who participated in community development activities over 9 years showed that (1) all increased existing knowledge and skills; (2) on average, women learned more than men; and (3) the greater the level of involvement, the greater the learning. (SK)

Reviews community development in Latin America (self-help local improvement projects, popular education, nongovernmental organizations). Identifies challenges--increasing the participation of all levels, reorganizing priorities, and supporting the development of economic democracy. (SK)

An information-based rather than a knowledge-based approach to evaluation of social development programs has two advantages: (1) relative objectivity and (2) equity. Increasingly equitable flows of information are one indicator of social development. (SK)

The authors summarize approximately two years' experience at a family counseling agency in a small town near Tel Aviv. Topics covered include (1) objectives, (2) organizational structure, (3) strategy, (4) cooperation with other agencies, and (5) effects on intra-agency relationships. (CH)

Reviews animal contributions to fulfilling human need worldwide, including food, shelter, protection, labor, and many others. Identifies inputs into the animal husbandry process. (CH)

The authors describe the city farm movement in Great Britain. This movement promotes the redevelopment of urban waste areas as working farms and community gardens. (CH)