Signposts to Identity-Based Community Development (IBCD)

Issue Date: 
2013
Publisher: 
LEAD Asia & SIL International
Publisher Place: 
Bangkok
Sponsored By: 
Toyota Foundation Grant no. D12-N-0143
Extent: 
103 pages
Description: 
Over recent decades rapid development has spread across Asia, with even the remotest corners becoming part of a connected ‘globalised’ world. However, the impact of this development has not spread equally, both in terms of quantitative and qualitative change. Minority ethnolinguistic communities are frequently excluded from both the benefits and the process, with many groups actually being adversely affected by it. While change is a natural part of community and culture, the rapid change brought about through globalisation and modernisation poses a threat to the unique culture and identities of ethnolinguistic communities, their environments, and their livelihoods. One of the key challenges faced by community development practitioners as we consider how to overcome inequalities and integrate culture into development, is how to reconcile local and globalising cultures. How can development processes support the desired future of minority ethnolinguistic communities, both in terms of the change they want to see in their communities, and the sustainability of their own unique cultures? Building on its network of NGO partners working with minority ethnolinguistic communities throughout Asia, 'Language, Education and Development' (LEAD) Asia (a regional support team of SIL International) conducted an experience-sharing workshop to develop and document an approach to development which address the challenges highlighted above, called 'Identity Based Community Development' (IBCD). Drawing from diverse education and development projects across Asia, the workshop explored the core values and key approaches of IBCD, recorded successful current and past activities and outlined effective practices. The results of this workshop were then synthesised and compiled by a writing team into a guide entitled ‘Signposts to Identity-Based Community Development’. IBCD emphasises a process of community reflection on cultural change narratives as a starting point for exploring the unique rights, responsibilities and opportunities of their situation and the corresponding development actions available to them. From this foundation, communities can choose and implement activities enabling them to become increasingly empowered and participative within their national societies. Through dialogue, both dominant and minority groups can develop mutual understanding and respect for the variety of languages and cultures in their context, creating an environment to forge harmonious relationships. In turn, marginalisation and disenfranchisement can also be reduced, enabling more inclusive multi-cultural societies and vibrant democracy building throughout the region.
Publication Status: 
Published
Table of Contents: 
1. Introductions -- ●Welcome to our journey -- ●Setting our starting point: who we are -- ●Traveling companions: who is with us -- ●Where we have come from: origins and beliefs -- ●The road ahead: some key signposts -- 2. Contextualising the issues -- ●Globalisation and unequal development -- ●Culture: an emerging global agenda -- ●Your issues, my issues -- ●Development: in the way of community well-being? -- 3 Foundations of Identity-Based Community Development (IBCD) -- ●‘Identity’ -- ●The myth of community? -- ●Complex cultural systems -- ●Empowerment focused -- 4. Engaging in dialogue and reflection with communities -- ●Why reflection? Why dialogue? -- ●Practitioners: starting with ourselves -- ●Promoting reflection on identity -- ●Archetype Stories -- ●Ethnoarts: using the arts to explore culture and identity -- ●Digging deeper: other helpful tools -- 5. Relevant action: moving forward together -- ●Identity strengthening education -- ●Voicing our identity -- ●Unity through identity -- 6. IBCD and the environment: a pressing issue -- ●A sense of place -- ●Winds of change -- ●Making a difference -- ●‘Sustainability’ and ‘resilience’ -- 7. Concluding thoughts -- ●Joining together: a real community of practice -- ●Setting a new course -- 8. References -- Annex 1: IBCD event information -- ●Details about the March CoP event and the Toyota grant -- ●Participating organisations
Content Language: 
Work Type: 
Nature of Work: 
Entry Number: 
55489