Chapter 10: International Community Development​

Imperialism

• Taking control of foreign resources to create an empire that benefits the imperialist nation.​

• The imperialists created colonies, which are territories under the political control of a foreign country.

International community development:

a process and a goal

The Human Development Index​

The Human Development Index(HDI) is a numerical indicator ranging from 0 to 1, based on longevity, knowledge, and standard of living, by nation.

• Longevity is measured by life expectancy ​

• knowledge is measured in terms of a combination of adult literacy rate and average years of schooling in a country.​

• Standard of living is measured by local purchasing power.​

High HDI reflects a high standard of living with a diversified and industrialized economy.

• he Human Development Index in Canada in 2023 was 0.939 points. ​

• Ranked 12th in the world.​

• A diversified economy has many varied components i.e Flourishing tourism, Technology, and agricultural trade

Five messages from the 2019 Human Development Report​

1. Although minimum standards of living have been achieved by more of the world’s population, substantial disparities persist.​

2. Climate change and technological development are creating new forms of inequality.​

3. Inequalities accumulate and are exacerbated by power imbalances in social, economic, and political life.​

4. Assessment of inequality requires better measurement going forward, to respond to new forms that are emerging. ​

5. Increasing equality is possible, but only if structural imbalances are addressed before becoming entrenched.

Economic Stages of Growth 1960-1970

• The traditional society

• The preconditions for take-off

• The take-off

• The drive to maturity

• The age of high mass consumption

Economic Stages of Growth 1960-1970: The traditional society

It is a subsistence economy; people obtain their food, shelter, and clothing directly through their own efforts. Barter, or the trading of goods. High levels of agricultural activity and labour-intensive. ​

Economic Stages of Growth 1960-1970: The preconditions for take-off

Expansion to other activities, like the development of mining practices. Some growth in saving and investment.​

Economic Stages of Growth 1960-1970: The take-off

Increased savings and investment and a greater degree of industrialization, combined with regional economic growth. A reduction in the number of individuals employed in the agriculture industry, increased use of technology, and fewer labourers.​

Economic Stages of Growth 1960-1970: The drive to maturity

the use of technology by a society has increased. A more diverse industrial base made the economy more stable and self-sustaining. The surplus is sold for a profit, and that profit can be invested in another industry.​

Economic Stages of Growth 1960-1970: The age of high mass consumption

Major employer is service industry, i.e., banking, insurance, finance, marketing, entertainment, and recreation services. Focus on mass consumption and the urban sector. ​

Green Revolution late 1960’s​

The Green Revolution, a development strategy aimed at the rural sectors of low-income countries to significantly improve agricultural yields by introducing new crops and cultivars, irrigation, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and modern mechanized practices

In 1960’s, the imperialist system broke down​

• In 1960 and 1969, 46 countries gained independence.​

• In 1970 and 1979, another 26 countries gained independence. (Roupp, 1997). ​

• Of all those 72 countries, 17 were former French colonies, and 37 were former British colonies. ​

• With independence came significant debt loads.​

• Soft Currency: subject to significant value fluctuations.​

• Hard Currency: less likely to fluctuate dramatically in value (such as the U.S. dollar or British pound)​

Shift from Economic Development to Human Development 1980’s- 1990’s​

• People-centred development​

• Basic needs development​

• Human-needs-centred development​

1995 World Summit for Social Development, the first UN conference.​

Development is Empowerment​

In community Development, Empowerment refers to the ability of individuals to take control over their lives, over their own development, both individually and collectively.​

Our Common Future Report​ 1987

Identified Problems​

1. ​

1. The overwhelming poverty of the low-income nations. ​

2. The unsustainable consumption and production pattern of the high-income nations.​

​

Recommendation: ​

Sustainable development: which can be defined as meeting current human needs without threatening the ability of future generations to do the same.

Millennium Development Goals​ 2000-2015

• Reducing poverty ​

• Promoting universal primary education​

• Promoting gender equality​

• Reducing child mortality​

• Improving maternal health​

• Combating serious disease (e.g., HIV/AIDS and malaria)​

• Ensuring environmental sustainability

Social capital becomes another dimension—along with…

financial capital (monies available for investment), physical capital (buildings and land), and human capital (the skills people have)—in defining a community’s health.​

Structural Social Capital​

The degree of linkage between community members and the formal and informal social institutions in the community.​

Cognitive Social Capital ​

Consists of the social norms, values, beliefs, attitudes, and social behaviours that people hold that affect the ability of the community to take collective action.​

Identify the Structural and Cognitive Social Capital in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

1. Physiological Needs (Basic Needs)
These are the essentials for human survival: food, water, sleep, shelter, air, clothing, and rest.

2. Safety Needs (Basic Needs)
Security, stability, protection from harm, financial safety, health, and a predictable environment.

3. Love and Belonging (Psychological Needs)
Relationships, friendships, family, intimacy, community, and feeling accepted and connected.

4. Esteem Needs (Psychological Needs)
Self-esteem, confidence, respect from others, recognition, achievement, independence, and feeling valued.

5. Self-Actualization (Self-Fulfillment Needs)
Becoming the best version of oneself; personal growth, creativity, fulfilling potential, purpose, and pursuing meaningful goals.

One goal of international development is to…

facilitate the community’s ability to meet its basic human needs.​

• All individuals possess individual capital: skills, knowledge, experience, and time- potential of being social capital.​

• To effectively begin to mobilize social capital in marginalized communities, development activities must address the most basic needs that are currently unmet in the community.​

• One solution could be Community Assessment; identify the resources.​

FACTORS KNOWN TO INHIBIT MOBILIZATION OF SOCIAL CAPITAL

• Learned Powerlessness​

• Lack of Trust in Government​

• Dependency Development​

Cultural Competence​

The National Association of Social Workers (2015) refers to cultural competence as the “process by which individuals and systems respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, spiritual traditions, immigration status, and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms, and values the worth of individuals, families and communities and protects and preserves the dignity of each” . ​

Cultural Competence in Community Development​

In a persons or systems engaged in community development, an understanding and appreciation of differences, a willingness to obtain advice on issues outside one's cultural experience and a commitment to actively combat biased attitudes and policies.​

Explore

• Small-scale economic development initiatives (micro finance), such as credit unions and co-operatives- Moses Coady​

• Coady Institute in Nova Scotia​

• Grameen Bank- Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh​

• Kiva Organization- U.S.A​

Strong communities build…

strong democracies, and strong democracies hold politicians accountable for their actions.​