A review of “What we are learning about community-led development in Aotearoa New Zealand”, published by Inspiring Communities 

Reviewed by Ian Shirley, Pro Vice Chancellor and
Professor: Institute of Public Policy,  Auckland University of Technology

 Whenever I read a publication that emanates from the lives and experiences of local people, I am reminded of the wealth of knowledge and wisdom that can be found in any community that is prepared to tap into the lives of its greatest resource – “he tangata, he tangata, he tangata”.

It was a privilege to read the ‘Inspiring Communities’ publication, first because of the way in which it records the stories and insights of people engaged in community led development and in that sense it is a genuine reflection of what can be referred to as ‘development from below’.

Secondly, it is an extremely valuable record of the development process, articulating the principles and values on which community led development is based. In this respect it is a very authentic publication that is capable of playing an important role in community development education and practice.

I could see the document being used as an educational tool especially where groups or communities are committed to the action/reflection process. To really engage in community led development, we often need to draw on external sources as a basis for dialogue and action. This publication provides an extremely valuable resource in this respect.

As the ‘Inspiring Communities’ team builds on this excellent foundation I would like to offer a few thoughts regarding, where to from here? I hope that you don’t think me presumptious in offering these comments.

One of my major reservations, not about the publication itself, but about community led development stems from the context in which communities exist. Can communities really be ‘the authors of their own destiny’, or in terms of social change and social transformation, are they subject to outside forces and conditions that need to be mediated? In other words, if the goal of community led development is about change, then my next question is, ‘change to what? What is outcome of this process?’ The process alone (in my view) is not enough.

I have just finished editing a chapter on Bangkok for a book recording the development patterns across 15 major cities in the Asian and Pacific region. The authors of the chapter on Bangkok have described the way in which the disenfranchised sectors of the city have taken collective action to change their communities. They have described how the ‘residents’ of the slums and squatter settlements of the city have used the ‘situations’ in which they find themselves to build alternative lives, alternative communities.

These alternatives relate to work and living circumstances, even transport options. They are truly inspiring, but unless there is some significant change in the policies and priorities of those governing both the city and the country, then the only options open to these communities, lies in accepting the current situation or in taking direct action. The action taken recently by the Red Shirts in Bangkok stemmed from these realities.

These random thoughts are about future options based on my own reflections. In the meantime, I am very impressed with both the substance and style of “what we are Learning”. It is a very impressive record and an extremely valuable resource for individuals and communities engaged in local development.