Additional information
by Peter Westoby (Author), Gerard Dowling (Author)
This book identifies a dialogical tradition of community development and considers how such a tradition shapes practice within contemporary contexts and concerns - economic, social, political, cultural and ecological. This tradition builds on key thinkers such as Martin Buber, Paolo Freire and J. P. Lederach and illuminates how their insights can shape the contours of practice. It attempts to link theory to practice through a combination of storytelling and theory-reflection, thus grounding complex ideas in practice.
Author Biography
Peter Westoby is a Senior Lecturer in Community Development (CD) within the CD Unit of the School of Social Science, Queensland University, Australia, and a Research Fellow with the Centre for Development Support, University of Free State, South Africa. He is also a Director/Consultant with the non-profit co-operative Community Praxis Co-op, which provides youth, community and organisational development services. His experience includes over 20 years of practice work in South Africa, PNG, the Philippines, Vanuatu and Australia.
Gerard Dowling has 20 years of experience in various community development roles in Brisbane, Australia, including housing work with the Tenants' Union and collaborative community planning consultancies with Community Praxis Co-op. He currently manages a strategy unit organises youth projects for Brisbane City Council, working to make the city's programmes, services and facilities more inclusive. He explores creative ways to engage young people in youth space, urban design, multicultural community, sustainability, social enterprise, and e-citizenship in an innovative local government context.
