The Cowichan and Chemainus Valleys Ecomuseum is a regional heritage demonstration project initiated by Heritage Canada, B.C. Heritage Trust and the local governments of the Cowichan Valley Regional District in 1988. This thesis used the Ecomuseum as a case study to investigate how and why people participate in public processes, specifically from the perspective of the participants themselves. The study provides a documentation and analysis of individual participatory experiences across a range of public involvement activities. The thesis has two main purposes. The research provides conclusions which may be useful in the design and implementation of the Ecomuseum's future public involvement activities and similar projects. As well, implications from the research are identified which contributes to a better understanding of public participation in context of community development. The study outlines the participatory process of the Cowichan and Chemainus Valleys Ecomuseum, provides a descriptive evaluation of individuals' participatory experiences and summarizes individual reports across different types of participatory activities. The research methods included a general literature review, a review of the documents, materials and organizational files of the Ecomuseum Society, the development of a newspaper survey and personal interviews with 24 participants. A content analysis of the interviews and surveys was used to summarize the research findings. Activities of the Ecomuseum Society are guided by principles of community participation and consensus decision-making in pursuit of three recognized objectives: - To preserve and present the history and living heritage of the British Columbia forest legacy of the Cowichan and Chemainus Valleys; - To increase resident and visitor awareness and appreciation of this heritage through the management of unique resources - To stimulate regional economic growth through appropriate tourism development and marketing of forest related "heritage experiences". With its emphasis on local involvement, the Ecomuseum is pioneering a new approach to community-based tourism and community development in general. Active public participation is the cornerstone of the ecomuseum concept. To date, the only formal evaluation of the Ecomuseum's progress has been a telephone survey to determine the level of resident awareness regarding the Ecomuseum. Given the critical role of public participation in the development of an ecomuseum, additional evaluation of the project was necessary to provide information about local involvement. Research on patterns of public participation suggest that different groups of people participate in different types of activities. As well, these patterns of participation may be identified and categorized by a variety of psychosocial variables perhaps more accurately than by a composition of demographic characteristics. During its five years of operation, the Ecomuseum has developed a wide range of public involvement activities to facilitate local participation. Six general categories of participation can be identified: general, passive participation, such as attending displays, lectures and tours; public forums; educational/ training programs; general volunteer work; working committees and specific Ecomuseum development projects. This study examined the usefulness of developing participant group profiles based on the descriptive experiences of individual participants. As well, the research investigated the hypothesis that different people participate in different types of activities through a comparison of participant profiles in each of the six categories of participation noted above. The research provides information about the experiences of local participants, their preferences and patterns of participation which is useful to the Cowichan and Chemainus Valleys Ecomuseum Society. The findings suggest that the initial reasons for individuals partaking in a particular activity will be common for members of a particular activity, but are different across different types of participation. Regardless of the type of activity people were participating in, most people indicated a common preference for certain kinds of activities. These included activities of a general, passive nature as well as those with an educational component. Within the category of general, passive activities, participants from the entire range of activity types again showed similar preferences. Exhibits/ displays, tours and lectures/ presentations were cited as common preferences although participants gave different reasons for their preference. While the main purpose of the research was to draw out implications for future activities of the Cowichan and Chemainus Valleys Ecomuseum, information from this research can be generally applied to community development public processes in general. Empowering a community to affect change requires developing the skills, capabilities and confidence of individuals to the point where they can take action. Improving the individual participatory experience is a means of increasing people's effectiveness in the collective process of community development. If the intention is to provide people with participatory opportunities which respond to their needs, information about participants' needs and desires is necessary. Research which focuses specifically on the participant's perspective should be encouraged. The development of participant profiles is suggested as a means of generating information which is useful in designing future participatory processes. Ultimately, the purpose is to facilitate the development of effective and satisfying opportunities for participation. The research findings were reviewed for their contribution to better understanding processes which facilitate increased levels of participation, project efficiency, effectiveness and self-reliance through local participation. The study does not provide a blueprint for designing public processes instead, the intention of the research is to stress certain aspects of the participants' perspectives which have implications for public participation processes in general and which should be considered in future research. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

This thesis details my applied thesis project and experience in the evaluation of a workforce development through sustainable construction program. It describes the need of my client, Sweet Grass Consulting and their contractual partner, the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation, in the evaluation of Thunder Valley CDC's Workforce Development through Sustainable Construction Program. My role involved the development of an extensive evaluation package for this program and data analysis of evaluation materials to support Thunder Valley CDC's grant-funded Workforce Development Program. I place the efforts of Thunder Valley CDC in the context of their community, the Pine Ridge Reservation of the Lakota People, and within an historical and contemporary context to highlight the implications of the efforts of Thunder Valley CDC. Using the theoretical frameworks of cultural revitalization and community economic development, I attempt to highlight two important components of Thunder Valley CDC's community development efforts - cultural revitalization for social healing, and development that emphasizes social, community and individual well-being. Thunder Valley CDC's Workforce Development through Sustainable Construction Program is still in its early stages, and so this first year of implementation very much represented a pilot phase. However, while specific successes are difficult to measure at this point, general successes are viewable in the daily operations of Thunder Valley CDC that exemplify their stated mision and goals. These successes include initiatives that holistically address community needs; relevancy in the eyes of the community they serve; support for the community and for Program participants' unique challenges; and a cultural restoration and revitalization emphasis that underlies and strengthens all of this. The program thus has the potential to provide a model for community development by challenging dominant "development" paradigms and utilizing community resources and assets for community development that reflects the community's values and worldviews.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / This study questions if the advocacy efforts of community based organizations, like community development corporations, voluntary member associations, and community action agencies, can achieve policy development. Policy development is defined as the proposal of a policy by a community based organization. That policy proposal receives the attention of local decision makers for consideration. This study uses the stages of the policy process to assess what coordinated activities are most effective to achieve policy development. It was concluded that community based organizations can achieve policy development, if they identify an issue or problem, conduct some level of strategic planning, create a policy agenda, and seek access to decision makers. In all three case analyses, the hybrid organization, community action agency, and the voluntary member association were able to achieve policy development. This research does not focus on policy impact or evaluation. The goal was to ascertain how effective an organization can be at proposing a solution and receiving the attention of local decision makers. This research explores how organizational development can become the foundation for advocating for issues and achieve policy development. Community based organizations are not only government funded service providers, but also community collaborators and educators who stimulate citizen participation and increase public awareness about social issues. Their role as autonomous service providers puts them in a conundrum because of their funding streams. Since the 1950s, researchers have explored the roles and responsibilities of government-funded service providers. This study provides an overview of the roles of community based organizations and activities that define their political participation. It explores how these organizations mitigate issues to ensure overall community success.

The role of Christian churches in community development cannot be over-emphasised. In the past, Christian churches have played vital roles in community development, both in rural and urban areas. It is in light of this that the researcher views the current situation in Ovia South-West and seeks to determine whether or not this also applies to Ovia South-West. This study is an exploration of the role of Christian churches in community development, with particular reference to the Ovia South-West region of Nigeria. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africans are familiar with apartheid principles and practices. Apartheid principles were not only used as a mechanism that robbed people of their human rights, but it also gave rise to limited or no community participation in government decision-making. South Africa's democratic regime (after 1994) is striving to increase community participation in government decision-making. In this regard, the South African national government is initiating community development policies and programmes such as the Reconstruction and Development Programme (1994), Masakhane programme (1998) and Integrated Development Planning (1997). This research focuses on Integrated Development Planning (lOP) and local government's role in stimulating community participation. Various participation models are highlighted, and the Wellington case is used to illustrate that communities will participate optimally in development activities if their participation will bring about their own empowerment. The research methodology includes interviews, television news programmes, newspaper articles and focus group sessions. Responses from the focus group interviews indicated that the community is easy-going and they expect activities to be undertaken for them. It was also noted that meaningful mechanisms for enhancinq community participation are limited. The community-empowerment model and recommendations are presented to optimise community participation. The following recommendations are made, namely accessibility of development initiatives, mobilising the community, relevant administrative skills of public officials, democratic constitution and legislation, concrete policy relating to community participation, meaningful empowerment of the community, explaining the content of concepts, programmes and projects, training for public officials, awareness of policy implications with regards to community participation and municipal planning in co-operative government. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrikaners is vertroud met apartheidsbeginsels en praktyke. Apartheidsbeginsels is nie net as 'n meganisme gebruik om groepe van hul menseregte te ontneem nie, maar dit het ook aanleiding gegee tot gebrekkige of geen gemeenskapsdeelname in owerheidsbesluitneming. Suid-Afrika se demokratiese regeringstelsel (na 1994) streef daarna om gemeenskapsdeelname in owerheidsbesluitneming te verhoog. Binne hierdie hoedanigheid het die nasionale regering gemeenskapsontwikkelingsbeleide en programme soos die Heropbou-en Ontwikkelingsprogram (1994), Masakhane-program (1988) en GeTntegreerde Ontwikkelingsbeplanning (1997) daargestel. Die navorsing fokus op Ge"integreerde Ontwikkelingsbeplanning (GOB), en plaaslike owerhede se rol ten opsigte van die stimulering van gemeenskapsdeelname. Verskeie deelname-modelle word uitgelig en aan die hand van die Wellington-geval, word aangetoon dat gemeenskappe optimaal sal deelneem aan ontwikkelingsaktiwiteite indien hul deelname sal bydra tot hul eie bemagtiging. Die navorsingsmetodologie sluit in onderhoude, televisie-nuusprogramme, koerantartikels en fokusgroep-sessies. Terugvoering van die fokusgroeponderhoude dui aan dat die gemeenskap gemaksugtig is en verwag dat aktiwiteite vir hulle onderneem word. Daar is waargeneem dat betekenisvolle meganismes om gemeenskapsdeelname te optimaliseer gebrekkig was. Die kommunikasie-bemagtigingsmodel en aanbevelings word aangebied ten einde gemeenskapsdeelname te optimaliseer. Die volgende aanbevelings word gemaak naarnlik, toeganklikheid van ontwikkelingsinisiatiewe; mobilisering van die gemeenskap; relevante administratiewe vaardighede van openbare amptenare; demokratiese grondwet en beleide; konkrete beleide rakende gemeenskapsdeelname; betekenisvolle bemagtiging van die gemeenskap; verduideliking van die inhoud van konsepte, programme en projekte, opleiding van amptenare; bewuswording van beleidsimplikasies rakende gemeenskapsdeelname en munisipale beplanning in 'n samewerkende regering.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The central focus of this thesis is Youth Leadership Development programs in Africa. These programs are viewed within the context of the circumstances the youth currently face in their lives, and also the important role the youth in Africa have to play in the future of the continent. It is argued that leadership development holds the key to addressing the social, economic and political challenges Africa currently experiences. The Youth capacity building program in Uganda and the Joint Enrichment Project in South Africa were chosen as two case studies of Youth Leadership Development programs in Africa. The two case studies were benchmarked against the assessment tool that the International Youth Foundation (IYF) has created for making youth programs work. The above two programs differ greatly in their cultural, economic, social and political contexts. The aim of this study is to determine whether a single set of criteria for Youth Leadership Development programs in the African context is possible, despite the aforementioned differences inherent in the programs. To this end separate qualitative comparisons have been conducted on both the case studies. Shortcomings with regard to the assessment tool as well as the chosen youth programs were also identified. This study highlights that community development includes youth development, and therefore also the training of future leaders. Africa cannot rely on previous models of leadership development for today's youth. Further research in this field is needed, but this study confirms that Youth Leadership Development is vital in Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die sentrale fokus van die tesis is jeug leierskapsontwikkelingsprogramme in Afrika. Hierdie programme word benader binne die konteks van die omstandighede wat die jeug se lewens beinvloed, asook diebelangrike rol wat die jeug in Afrika speel in die toekoms van die kontinent. Die uitgangspunt is dat leierskapsontwikkeling die sleutel is tot die verbetering van sosiale, ekonomiese en politieke uitdagings in Afrika. Die "Youth capacity building" program van Uganda, en die "Joint Enrichment Project" van Suid-Afrika is twee gevallestudies wat gekies is as voorbeelde van jeug leierskapsontwikkelingsprogramme in Afrika. Hierdie twee gevallestudies is gemeet aan die "International Youth Foundation" (IYF) se riglyne vir die bepaling van suksesvolle jeugprogramme. Die twee gekose programme verskil grootliks ten opsigte van die kulturele, ekonomiese, sosiale en politieke konteks waarbinne hulle plaasvind. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die moontlikheid te bepaal van 'n enkele stel kriteria vir jeug leierskapsontwikkelingsprogramme binne die Afrika konteks. Vir hierdie doel is afsonderlike kwalitatiewe vergelykings getref tussen die gevallestudies en die bepaalde riglyne van die IYF. Verder is tekortkominge van beide die riglyne asook die jeugprogramme bepaal. Volgens hierdie studie vonn jeugontwikkeling 'n integrale deel van gemeenskapsontwikkeling, en daarom behels gemeenskapsontwikkeling ook die opleiding van toekomstige leiers. Daar kan nie op vorige modelle van leierskapsontwikkeling gesteun word vir die huidige jeug in Afrika nie. Daar is verdere navorsing in hierdie rigting nodig, maar hierdie studie bevestig dat jeugleierskapsontwikkeling in Afrika van kardinale belang is.

Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was undertaken to determine whether a lack of effective service delivery at the South African Police Service at Delft was due to a lack of community participation and development in Delft. Data was collected through a plurality of research methodologies, including participatory action research by means of interviews with role players and participative observation; a literature study; a diachronical study, application of relevant legislation as a guideline as well as input gained by means of discussion with various experts. The collected data was analysed in relation to the theme, the objective of the study and the research hypothesis. The following observations were made as a result of the study: • The local police station SAPS Delft, by acting as a catalyst, has assisted in the establishment of many structures in the community; and • The erecting of a new police station facilitated community participation and development. The study, having considered the observations and drawn conclusions, has offered a number of recommendations namely: • The erecting of a new police station should take place simultaneously with the development of the township where it is situated. By this means all role players will participate. • The local government and relevant national government departments are of the utmost importance when it comes to addressing the root causes of the problems in the community or when putting alternatives in place. The location of a police station should be such that its convenience and accessibility will result in enhanced and sustainable service delivery, provided that the community capitalises on it. Finally, to ensure success, there must be education and training of both the police and the community, facilitated by the SAPS, government departments and NGOs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie is onderneem om vas te stel of die gebrek aan effektiewe dienslewering by Delft Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie Diens te wyte is aan die gebrek aan gemeenskapsdeelname en -ontwikkeling in Delft. Data is ingesamel deur middel van ‘n pluraliteit van navorsingsmetodologië, insluitend die volgende: deelnemende aksie navorsing deur onderhoude met rol spelers en deelnemende waarneming; ‘n literatuurstudie; ‘n diakroniese studie, toepassing van relevante wetgewing as ‘n riglyn asook insae verkry deur besprekings met ‘n verskeidenheid kenners. Die ingesamelde data is geanaliseer in verhouding tot die tema en die doelwitte van die studie en is vergelyk met die navorsingshipotese. Die volgende waarnemings is uit die studie gemaak: • Die plaaslike polisiestasie, Delft SAPD, het as katalisator gedien om baie strukture in die gemeenskap tot stand te bring; en • Die oprigting van ‘n nuwe polisiestasie het gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid en - ontwikkeling gefasiliteer. Die waarnemings in ag geneem, is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die volgende aanbevelings gemaak word: • Die bou van ‘n nuwe polisiestasie moet saam met die ontwikkeling van ‘n woonbuurt geskied, waarby alle rolspelers betrokke moet wees; en • Die plaaslike regering en relevante departemente is van kardinale belang by die aanspreek van die oorsake van probleme in gemeenskappe of om alternatiewe in plek te stel. Die aanwesigheid van ‘n bereikbare en toeganklike polisiekantoor sal beter en volhoubare dienslewering tot gevolg hê indien die gemeenskap daarop kapitaliseer. Laastens verg dit egter opvoeding, vir die polisie sowel as die gemeenskap, en gefasiliteer deur SAPD, staatsdepartemente en nie-regeringsorganisasies om sukses te verseker.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since its inception the Community Development Worker Programme (CDWP) seeks to promote cooperative governance within the context of the Intergovernmental Relations Framework. In pursuit of a holistic approach to development Community Development Workers (CDWs) strive for effectiveness in their role as change agents. This case study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of CDWs as change agents in pursuit of a holistic approach to development in the Western Cape. This was a qualitative study using participatory action research as a CDW in the West Coast; semi-structured interviews with Dedicated Officials from municipalities in the Cape Winelands Region, City of Cape Town and West Coast Region; focus groups with community members and stakeholders from Kayamandi in the Cape Winelands Region, Eerste River in the City of Cape Town and various towns in the West Coast Region; focus group and semi-structured interviews with Supervisors from the City of Cape Town, West Coast Region and Cape Winelands Region. Questionnaires were completed by Regional Coordinators from the West Coast Region, City of Cape Town, Overberg Region and Central Karoo Region; and questionnaires were completed by CDWs from the City of Cape Town, Cape Winelands Region, West Coast Region, Central Karoo Region and Overberg Region in the Western Cape. The findings of the research reveal that the CDWP has made tremendous progress since its inception. Regional Coordinators, supervisors and CDWs have a very good grasp of what is expected of them as change agents. The responses from the community also revealed much appreciation and support for the work done by CDWs in their role as change agents. The effectiveness of CDWs in their role of change agents in pursuit of a holistic approach to development is rated to be between 6-8 on a scale of 1-10; with ten being the highest. There is room for improvement however as the findings indicate that there are several cases where CDWs experience isolation and frustration and are challenged in their pursuit of holistic development as they are hampered by a lack of adequate resources; a lack of access to budgets; a lack of support, cooperation and political interference from ward councillors and politicians; a lack of understanding, appreciation, cooperation and support from local government and a sense of belonging at local municipal level in many instances amongst others. Although the research reveals that the province is effective in its pursuit of a holistic approach to sustainable community development on the part of CDWs as change agents, the researcher wishes to argue that improved collaboration needs to take place amongst the various levels of governments, government departments, development agencies and the beneficiaries of development themselves to further maximise the efforts and effectiveness of CDWs in their role as change agents. The building blocks of development and the Batho Pele Principles must also be more consistently applied and attentively addressed and diligently implemented by all the stakeholders in the development process in order to improve service delivery and enhance more effective community development to the benefit of the community at grassroots whilst meeting local, national and provincial development targets. The challenge to each of us as change agents is therefore to do our all towards reconstruction, community development and equal opportunities for all. We all have to be accountable and answer the question as to what we are doing concerning community development, namely education; poverty relief; service delivery; etc. in our own communities. We need to acknowledge where we have come from, where we are now and where we are going. Much progress has already been made despite a lack of funding, facilities and resources. More sacrifices must still be made however to ensure a better life for all. The issue is around respect, irrespective of who you are dealing with. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Van sy ontstaan af probeer die Gemeenskapsontwikkelingswerkerprogram (GOWP) koöperatiewe bestuur in die konteks van die Tussenregeringsverhoudingsraamwerk bevorder. Gemeenskapsontwikkelingswerkers (GOW’s) streef na effektiwiteit in hul rol as veranderingsagente om ’n holistiese benadering tot ontwikkeling te volg. Hierdie gevallestudie is uitgevoer om die effektiwiteit van GOW’s as veranderingsagente wat ’n holistiese benadering tot ontwikkeling in die Wes-Kaap nastreef te bepaal. Dit was ’n kwalitatiewe studie met gebruik van deelnemende aksienavorsing as ’n GOW in die Weskus; halfgestruktureerde onderhoude met toegewyde amptenare van munisipaliteite in die Kaapse Wynlandstreek, Stad Kaapstad en Weskusstreek; fokusgroepe met gemeenskapslede en belanghebbendes uit Kayamandi in die Kaapse Wynlandstreek, Eersterivier in die Stad Kaapstad en verskeie dorpe in die Weskusstreek; fokusgroep- en halfgestruktureerde onderhoude met toesighouers uit die Stad Kaapstad, Weskusstreek en Kaapse Wynlandstreek. Vraelyste is deur streekskoördineerders van die Weskusstreek, Stad Kaapstad, die Overbergstreek en Sentraal Karoostreek ingevul; en vraelyste is deur die GOW’s van die Stad Kaapstad, Kaapse Wynlandstreek, Weskusstreek, Sentraal Karoostreek en Overbergstreek in die Wes-Kaap ingevul. Die bevindings van die navorsing toon dat die GOWP sedert sy ontstaan geweldige vordering gemaak het. Streekskoördineerders, toesighouers en GOW’s het ’n baie goeie begrip van wat as veranderingsagente van hulle verwag word. Die reaksies van die gemeenskap het ook groot waardering en ondersteuning getoon vir die werk wat deur die GOW’s in hulle rol as veranderingsagente gedoen word. Die effektiwiteit van GOW’s in hul rol as veranderingsagente wat ’n holistiese benadering tot ontwikkeling nastreef word beskou as 6-8 op ’n skaal van 1 tot 10, met tien as die hoogste punt. Daar is egter ruimte vir verbetering aangesien die bevindings aandui dat daar verskeie gevalle is waar GOW’s isolasie en frustrasie ondervind en uitgedaag word in hulle nastrewing van holistiese ontwikkeling weens onder andere ’n gebrek aan toereikende hulpbronne; ’n gebrek aan toegang tot begrotings; ’n gebrek aan ondersteuning en samewerking en die politieke inmenging van wyksraadslede en politici; ’n gebrek aan begrip, waardering, samewerking en ondersteuning van die plaaslike regering en ’n gevoel van tuis hoort op plaaslike munisipale vlak in baie gevalle. Hoewel die navorsing toon dat die provinsie effektief is in sy nastrewing van ’n holistiese benadering tot volhoubare gemeenskapsontwikkeling aan die kant van GOW’s as veranderingsagente, wil die navorser aanvoer dat beter samewerking op die verskillende vlakke van regering, regeringsdepartemente, ontwikkelingsliggame en die begunstigdes van ontwikkeling moet plaasvind om die pogings en effektiwiteit van GOW’s in hul rol as veranderingsagente verder te versterk. Die boustene van ontwikkeling en die Batho Pelebeginsels moet deur al die belanghebbendes in die ontwikkelingsproses meer konsekwent toegepas, noulettend gehanteer en toegewyd geïmplementeer word om dienslewering te verbeter en meer effektiewe gemeenskapsontwikkeling in belang van die gemeenskap op grondvlak te bewerkstellig terwyl dit aan plaaslike, nasionale en provinsiale ontwikkelingsteikens voldoen. Die uitdaging aan elkeen van ons as veranderingsagente is dus om alles moontlik te doen in belang van rekonstruksie, gemeenskapsontwikkeling en gelyke geleenthede vir almal. Ons moet almal aanspreeklik wees en die vraag beantwoord oor wat ons doen omtrent gemeenskapsontwikkeling, naamlik onderwys, armoedeverligting, dienslewering, ens. in ons eie gemeenskappe. Ons moet erken waar ons vandaan kom, waar ons nou is en waar ons heengaan. Baie vordering is reeds gemaak ten spyte van ’n gebrek aan befondsing, fasiliteite en hulpbronne. Meer opofferings moet egter nog gemaak word om n beter lewe vir almal te verseker. Dit gaan oor respek, ongeag met wie jy handel.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning