Village Earth will now be offering our Sustainable Community Development Certificate Program through Duke University’s Department of Continuing Studies. We expect that this will be a very fruitful partnership in that Village Earth will bring its world-renowned online sustainable community development training program to the academic excellence of Duke University. We hope that through this partnership we will be able to reach even more community leaders, development practitioners, and others around the world with an interest in increasing their knowledge and skills in sustainable community development. Courses through Duke University begin January 17, 2014. We will be offering the same great five-week courses and numerous specializations to tailor the program to meet participant’s needs and interests. Our instructors will continue to be the same seasoned professionals who are practitioners in their fields. An application for admission is not required to enroll in a course or to pursue the Certificate in Sustainable Community Development from Duke University. Duke University is ranked the #7 university in the United States. “The university has a strong commitment to applying knowledge in service to society… around the world.” Village Earth will also continue to offer the Sustainable Community Development Certificate Program through Colorado State University as well. Visit Village Earth’s Sustainable Community Development online training page for more information about this program including how to enroll. If you have questions, please contact Village Earth’s Training Director at [email protected].
GSLL 1501 – Approaches to Community Development
This course provides a framework for community development based on a participatory, bottom-up, multi-sector model. Various approaches have been used in community development with varying degrees of success. One approach that has consistently demonstrated effectiveness is the Village Earth model based on participatory practices.
Through personal and structural empowerment, the objectives of economic well-being, environmental sustainability, and socio-cultural vitalization can be met. By looking at an overview of the entire development process and using case studies, this course will prepare participants to work in the field of community development and illuminate how all of the development efforts fit together to support the overall goal of sustainability.
Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:
Compare different development approaches and evaluate their effectiveness.
Understand the basic principles that underlie sustainable development.
Incorporate participatory practices into community development activities
Design a development project based on the Village Earth model
Who should take this course? This course is suited for people who are interested in community development and work or plan to work in this field. This includes people working or volunteering at NGOs, NPOs, governmental organizations, without border organizations, or missionary organizations. In addition, people involved in funding community development projects benefit from this course.
