Community Development: a dialogue for change

09 July 2008

For some time there have been discussions within the Donegal Community Workers Co-operative about the community sector and what it has become. Issues which arose included: funding, partnership, lack of collective action, and responding to a State or funder's agenda. These discussions led to an exploration of what is community development and whether its values and principles are reflected in current practice.

Emerging from the discussion was the realisation that there is a lack of dialogue across the sector about these issues. Although conversations may be happening in pockets of individuals and groups, it was felt there was the need to create opportunities for this dialogue to take place.

The Co-operative has decided to expand this debate to the wider community sector, not to set an agenda or promote a specific viewpoint, but to share and exchange experiences, ideas and concerns, in a broad based dialogue.

To facilitate this dialogue the Co-operative is organising a seminar entitled ‘Community Development: Familiar Endings, New Beginnings – a dialogue for change’ which will take place on Thursday 24th July 2008, from 10am to 3pm, in the Manorcunningham Resource Centre, Main Street, Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal.

The keynote address will be given by Michael Hughes, Chief Executive of the Rural Community Network.

To book: please send an e-mail with details of name, address, organisation, any special requirements to cwcdl@eircom.net with Community Development Seminar in the subject line.

Bookings close on Tuesday 22nd July 2008

The event is supported by the European Union’s Programme for Peace and Reconciliation and the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by Border Action.