10 - Issues and Implications

Summary

Where do we go from here? Chaos or community?

Martin Luther King, title of book published 1968

Community development is not a straightforward, linear process; change can happen suddenly and unevenly through shifts in consciousness or an influx of resources. Serendipitous encounters can lead to rapid alterations of course, with new connections being made, catalysing conversations, and the discovery of possibilities which did not seem to exist before. Informal networking complements formal liaison mechanisms by creating the conditions that support effective coordination across boundaries. The connections themselves appear to provide a foundation for collective and individual empowerment. Sound working relationships are vital for joint action and collaboration. They create a collective power base that enables individuals and groups in communities to influence the decisions of more powerful bodies. This emphasis on networking raises a number of questions concerning the position and function of the community worker and which have implications for policy and practice. This book has sought to demonstrate that networking should usually count as work, in the sense that it takes time, effort and practice, using a range of skills and strategies. When deployed for community development purposes, proactive interventions are needed, and so should be valued and supported. This chapter outlines a few key implications for this approach.

We have seen that internal connections and interactions are absolutely crucial to the functioning of vibrant and resourceful communities that support their members, show solidarity with others and are able to deal with differences and challenges as they arise. But, for communities to change things in order to improve their environment, services and opportunities, locally and in wider society, they need to be influential and to access resources. Collective organising and social action is effective, inclusive and sustainable if it works from a broad base and reaches out to people and organisations beyond immediate community boundaries, for example through national networks and campaigns. Community workers can help to set up and foster such links, especially if barriers, conflicts and power differentials are encountered.

It is now generally accepted that networking is essential to the community development process and that without it, other functions become difficult or impossible to carry out. Community workers frequently hold pivotal positions or play key roles in setting up and servicing network-type organisations, such as area- or issue-based multi-agency forums.