Hello Click4HP members,
I recently received a request that I post the following note anonymously on
this list, and encourage discussion and responses on the CLICK4HP list. The
person who asked is not in a position at the moment to post directly. I
have some of my own responses after the note:
"I am looking for information in regard to the similarities and
differences between Capacity Building and Community Development, as well as
a good working definition of Capacity Building."
I recommended to this requester, and to others who may be interested in
Capacity Building and Community Development - two Canadian community health
organizations who are working on these very areas:
1. The Community Development Office of the Capital Health Authority
(Edmonton Alberta) who have been engaged in Capacity Building and CD for
many years. You can reach Angie Dedrick and Susan Roberts :
Community Development, CHA - CC&PH | Phone: (403)484-9045
c/o Jasper Place High School | Fax: (403)484-9099
#681 8950 - 163 Street T5R 2P2 | email: [log in to unmask]
Edmonton, Alberta - Canada | Web Site: http://www.cha.ab.ca/commdev
As stated in the CD office of the CHA:
"Community development using the asset based philosophy is an effective way
to animate, connect, and inform citizens. It is also a catalyst and a spark
for the community to discover, access, and mobilize unrecognized resources
in the community....
The idea of "Community Capacity Building & Asset MappingŠ" comes from the
belief that everyone has a talent or gift to share with others... Often
people require a connection to start talking and sharing. "Community
Capacity Building & Asset MappingŠ" includes everyone; it
encourages conversation and the development of linkages so citizens can
become acquainted and be willing to support each other. It does not mean
searching for the "needy" and the community deficiencies; rather, it is
connecting and talking with many citizens, providing a way for citizens to
talk to each other, develop relationships, and share their gifts and
capacities."
2. The Waterloo Region's newly developing Capacity Net. It was described by
Theresa Schumilas on another e-list - Ontario Community Capacity Mapping:
"Capacity Net is both a virtual and face to face network. Its general
intention is to provide an umbrella or "workspace" for groups working to
build capacity of local people. By capacity, we mean the ability of
citizens and neighbourhoods and groups in general to initiate actions to
improve their situation.
Capacity Net is not topic or sector specific. We see citizen capacity as a
prerequisite condition for any kind of change process - so for us the
"issues" will be many and varied - social justice, economic development,
environmental issues, health, food security, crime prevention, social
development....."
Like our anonymous request for definitions and comments on Capacity Building
and community Development - I too will welcome some discussion on this list
about these topics.
Alison Stirling
co-facilitator, Click4HP
<[log in to unmask]> or <[log in to unmask]>
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