ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents a wide range of topics and issues covered over five decades in the journal, Community Development, the journal of the Community Development Society, published since 1970. It focuses on the history and evolution of community development, and illustrates the importance and impact of community development research and practice. The book also focuses on rural development issues with the major focus in the early 1970s on this area as a priority. It examines both the practice and the process of community development, focusing on the facilitative role of community development practitioners. The book provides information and insights about these areas: community history and theory; planning and policy development; leadership development; justice, inclusion, and participation; and healthy and resilient communities.
