40 Critical Thinkers in Community Development

by Peter Westoby, David Palmer, Athena Lathouras

Overview

Who are the great activists, thinkers and writers who can inspire us in our community development work? Environmentalists, poets, philosophers, civil rights activists, trade unionists – all can help us question the assumptions that underlie our international development practice. This book invites students and professionals of community development and citizen activists to reflect on the roots of their practice and discover the wisdom of writers they may not have heard of before. The book highlights 40 personal and rigorous reflections, distilling several wisdoms and 40 ‘gems’ of ideas for community development, from thought-leaders including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Ela Bhatt, Jacques Derrida, Frantz Fanon, Paulo Freire, bell hooks, John Keats, Rosa Luxemburg, Wangari Maathai, Manfred Max-Neef, Arundhati Roy, E.F. Schumacher, Vandana Shiva, Rabindranath Tagore and Greta Thunberg. The book’s introduction will support readers in creating a personal practice framework, and a Coda/Map of Practice offers a vibrant visual representation of practice wisdoms in watercolour. 40 Critical Thinkers in Community Development is an important resource for daily or weekly readings and reflections, study groups, working or project teams, and as a resource for teachers of community development.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781788531221
Publisher:	Practical Action Publishing
Publication date:	06/15/2020
Pages:	278
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x (d)

About the Author

Peter Westoby has been involved in development practice for over thirty years, working as a grassroots practitioner, facilitator and scholar in diverse contexts such as Australia, PNG, the Philippines, Vanuatu, India, South Africa and Uganda. He is currently Associate Professor of Social Science and Community Development at Queensland University of Technology, Australia, and a Visiting Professor at the Centre for Development Support, University of the Free State, South Africa.

David Palmer currently teaches community development at Murdoch University. Much of his work takes him to remote parts of Central and Northern Australia supporting community-controlled projects carried out by Indigenous groups. Often this means he gets to see first-hand both the challenges facing communities, some of whom had their first contact with non-Indigenous people as recently as the 1970s, and a range of creative and culturally grounded projects.

Athena Lathouras, known as 'Tina', had 30 years practice experience in the areas of community development, disability support, and with peak bodies. She is a senior lecturer in the social work programme at the University of the Sunshine Coast; a member of Community Praxis Co-operative and volunteer liaison with Community Development Queensland.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

‘The ideas in this book reveal the great treasures of knowledge and wisdom that can enrich our lives. Indeed, inspiring thoughts are much needed in this time of fear and panic. The book is an essential companion for anyone involved in the citizen and professional project that is community development.’ Professor Sue Kenny, Deakin UniversityAustralia ‘Good community development requires critical thinking, otherwise we will just prop up the existing neo-liberal order, with its economic and political injustices, its unsustainability, its patriarchy, its racism, its heteronormativity and its colonialism. This book provides a rich and varied collection of wisdom and critical scholarship, challenging taken-for-granted ‘normality’, which contributes to our understanding of living and working in community in these troubled times. It contains many ‘gems’ which will inspire and enhance the practice of community workers.’ Professor Jim Ife, Western Sydney University‘Ideas change the world! Here is an inspiring collection of good ideas to steer a kinder, fairer future out of the wreckage of neoliberalism.’ Professor Margaret Ledwith, Universityof Cumbria