ABSTRACT
The work of Paulo Freire offers a theoretical and practical approach to developing change-orientated work with individuals and communities. This chapter provides an overview of his approach (a further discussion on Freire in practice comes later in the book). We look at how:
Community development is not about service delivery but about collective learning and change
Our current social order dehumanises people
Community development enables people to connect with their agency and creativity
Through dialogue and critical reflection, people are prepared to act for change
It is important that the community development workers have a range of effective practice models. Freire provides one of these key models.
