Conflict resolution skills will be beneficial at some point in any community development project. Whether it be resolving disputes between community groups or between the community and outside forces, facilitating a dispute resolution process that is culturally-sensitive will lead to a more sustainable and successful community development process. However, not many field workers and development practitioners have the necessary skills in community mediation, facilitation, collaborative problem solving, conflict resolution, conflict transformation and even conflict transcendence. Our online course Community-Driven Dispute Resolution will equip participants with the skills and resources they need to resolve community disputes. The course instructor, Lee Scharf, has decades of experience working in marginalized communities and culturally-sensitive contexts. This course has received great reviews from past students and is a highly recommended addition to the Community Development Online Certificate program. Now registering for Community-Driven Dispute Resolution through March 10. Course runs March 15 – April 19, 2013.
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.
