ABSTRACT
One of the problems inherent in community development is that activity is usually focused on relatively small groups of people. As such it is easy to miss the wider perspectives. Community development often deals with problems that are manifestations of a broader, sometimes global economic, social or environmental nature. Therefore, this chapter aims to set a global context within which community development takes place. Specifically:
We live in a diverse globalised world. Nevertheless, diverse global forces act on local communities
The UN Sustainable Development Goals set the key global development agenda
In the developed world the 2008 crash is leading to major changes in the role of the state with implications for communities
We can all learn from each other’s experiences no matter where we live
Issues facing urban communities have commonalities across countries
These perspectives provide a further framework for analysing community development practice.
