From Clients to Citizens: Communities Changing the Course of Their Own Development - Softcover

Mathie, Allison; Cunningham, Gordon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1853396737 ISBN 13: 9781853396731

Publisher: Practical Action Publishing, 2008

Synopsis

Communities worldwide act on their own initiative, drawing on their own resources of leadership and solidarity, and in spite of poverty, to achieve their own goals. Development practitioners have too often viewed poor communities as helpless and disadvantaged, and have encouraged their dependency. Yet if instead communities are recognized as having social and cultural as well as material assets, and these are what help them to overcome obstacles, then their capacity to negotiate external assistance on their own terms can be strengthened.

From the Moroccan villages that secured irrigation infrastructure with the help of returning migrants, to the Egyptian youth leaders who wanted a soccer pitch for their village, and the indigenous women's cooperative in Ecuador that now exports medicinal plants, this book describes case studies of communities that first built on their own assets, before seeking assistance from outside. What are the common factors that help all these communities mobilize? Do outside organizations have a role to play when communities take charge of their own development?

From Clients to Citizens is aimed at community workers, researchers and policy makers who want to take a fresh look at community development

About this title

Review:

"This is a thoroughly enjoyable, original and readable book, using a range of rich case studies to explore the complex workings of community-led development initiatives."--Jethro Pettit, Research Officer, Participation, Power and Social Change Team, IDS

"A wonderfully insightful exploration of the new frontiers of community development, this books is must-read for students, teachers, activists and policy-makers alike."--Michael Edwards, Director, Governance and Civil Society

"This is a terrific book."--Caroline Moser, Professor of Urban Development

"This volume is an essential antidote to expert-dominated views about how communities are 'developed' through external initiatives. A rich combination of analysis, geographic variety and diversity of cases show where, why and how people's own capabilities, resources and efforts make an enduring difference to their lives and to society."--Dr. Alan Fowler, Former President

Synopsis:

"From Clients to Citizens" is aimed at community workers, researchers and policy makers who want to take a fresh look at community development.

About this edition

• Publisher: Practical Action Publishing
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1853396737
• ISBN 13: 9781853396731
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 402