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Giving Strength to Local Voices: Why a strong civil society needs Community Development
On 24 February, CDF hosted a parliamentary reception in the Jubilee Room, House of Commons, in conjunction with the Federation for Community Development Learning and the Community Development Exchange.
Giving Strength to Local Voices: Why a strong civil society needs Community Development sought to demonstrate how Community Development (CD) contributes to a strong and effective civil society, and how its practice enhances a number of key policy areas both now and beyond the next election.
Experts from the sector gave short, practical presentations on aspects of Community Development, and practitioners were on hand throughout to give guidance on particular questions or issues.
The event was also the parliamentary launch of the National Occupational Standards for Community Development work (NOS). These standards were informed by the Community Development Challenge Report; and a report updating the Community Development Challenge work was available on the night. We also gave out copies of the preliminary findings from our national survey of community development workers. We believe that these documents will strengthen the sector and enable front line practitioners to better demonstrate their skills and impact.
We will be following this event up in the coming months with MPs, Thinktanks, and partners who have an interest in community development.
A review of the event can be found on Regeneration & Renewal's blog.
Presentations
A series of four presentations were given (follow the link to download these):
- Alison Seabrooke, Chief Executive, Community Development Foundation, Improving Local Democracy
- Dean T Huggins, Chair, The Federation for Community Development Learning, Learning that Builds Strength
- Alison Gilchrist, Trustee, Community Development Exchange, Building Community
- Nick Beddow, Community Development Team Leader, Stockport City Council, Community Development in Practice
Q & A
After presentations, we had a vigorous and well-received Q & A session. Some highlights and key points are below.
- The group discussed how people who were previously Housing Officers suddenly find themselves being called Community Development workers. Despite having knowledge, they often were left feeling "like a fish out of water". It was felt that this was further evidence that a CD qualification was needed.
- The panel were asked how important was the protection of the Qualifications Framework for the future of CD. The panel replied unanimously that it is essential to attract a new generation of CD workers who, understandably, would be looking for a career in this work.
- An academic highlighted how a lack of funding is closing down the university’s CD qualification courses. There is also a lack of grand funding for those who want to go on the courses. The MPs present highlighted the need for constituents to keep MPs informed on matters such of this – indicating a coordinated information campaign may be beneficial. CDF are already in conversations with her to offer whatever appropriate support and advice we can on this issue. The magazine Regneration and Renewal are in contact with her on this issue.
- A representative of FCDL suggested that politicians were in some ways wary of CD, as effective community groups represent a challenge and a threat to politicians. This was agreed widely in the room.
- A delegate questioned current terminology, and in particular if ‘empowerment’ was now an unfashionable concept. The panel responded that essentially whatever the terminology, we were talking about community development and that was the important thing.
- There was general debate around the key theme of the ageing CD workforce – as picked up on by CDF’s CD workers survey, and covered by Regeneration and Renewal magazine
- The point was made that more should be done to link CD work and social enterprise.
- One member of the audience said we should do more to look at inequalities within community development.
