Wow! eBook
International community organising: Taking Power, Making Change
Author(s): Dave Beck (Author), Rod Purcell (Author)
- Publisher: Policy Press
- Publication Date: 29 May 2013
- Edition: 1st
- Language: English
- Print length: 256 pages
- ISBN-10: 1847429777
- ISBN-13: 9781847429773
Book Description
As the Arab Spring continues to work through changes, the Occupy Movement is agitating for change and many are looking for alternatives in the face of global financial and political challenges, community organising offers a realistic way forward for many communities: a tried and tested way of improving peoples lives. This book is the first to explore the diverse history of community organising, telling stories of how it developed, its successes and failures, and the lessons that can be applied today. It analyses contemporary examples of practice from the USA, UK, India, South Africa, Cambodia and Australia against both wider theoretical frameworks and their ability to contribute to sustainable social change. It will be useful for a wide range of practitioners, students and researchers engaged in the struggle to develop new ways of doing community.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“As a long time community organizer working internationally with ACORN International, we have been waiting eagerly for Beck and Purcell’s book. Community organizations are gaining important and potentially powerful footholds all over the globe, and Beck and Purcell’s book is going to be at the front of every organizer’s shelf in trying to understand this phenomena, avoid the easy mistakes, and face the critical challenges. Thanks in advance!” Wade Rathke, Chief Organizer & Founder, ACORN International
About the Author
Dave Beck manages the post graduate programmes in Community Development at the University of Glasgow. With more than 20 years of Community Development experience, his research interests are rooted in participatory approaches to thinking about and doing empowering practice for social change. Rod Purcell is Director of Community Engagement at the University of Glasgow; previously he was a community worker, consultant and freelance trainer and has written extensively on community development. Rod is a board member of the International Association for Community Development.
