This paper is an appreciative critical analysis of Peter Wetoby’s case study on his community development work with Southern Sudanese communities in Brisbane and Logan. The paper firstly provides an overview of the story from Westoby’s perspective. Secondly, the paper discusses four main theories of community development including; “social capital”; “empowerment”; service delivery”; “micro-method” and “mezzo-method”. Thirdly the paper demonstrates a critical understanding of power and inequalities in our socio-political-cultural structures and community development’s commitment to addressing these. Fourthly, the paper discusses the limitations of the community development theory. Finally, the paper concludes with an analysis of the aims of the practice and the extent to which processes employed and the outcomes achieved could be considered effective practice.
Developmental community work is a systematic approach that may be used in a variety of contexts. Lathouras (2010) informs the reader the approach to development practice is grounded in working with
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Tensions were high amongst the Southern Sudanese community who insisted they were not being engaged with on their terms, rather, agencies were stuck in colonial and neo-colonial methodologies and were exacerbating issues by their interventions. According to Westoby moving developmentally into dialogue around how the agencies or worker could support them to rebuild their social world, community and cultural life the Southern Sudanese immediately became more enabled. Conversations that were facilitated allowed leadership to move from “us/them, colonial/anti-colonial to with/amongst’ (Ingamells, et al, pg 67). Westoby warns if the dialogue is not developmentally orientated individuals remain stuck in ‘either/or’ scenarios which reinforce the cycles and sequences of cultural disorientation amongst