Developing Capacities and Agency in Complex Times.pptx

Developing Capacities and Agency in Complex Times by Chris Miller From “Challenging Capacity Building Comparative Perspective” (2010)

1. Developing Capacities and Agency in Complex Times by Chris Miller From “Challenging Capacity Building Comparative Perspective” (2010) Syadza Salsabyla Tamam MPWK UGM 2023

2. Introduction Capacity building? Building from the inside out (McKnight) Consensus building, sustaining multiple and diverse networks and relationships, identifying and celebrating community strengths and assets, generating broad-based community involvement toward mutual gain, developing whole community visions for the future and identifying steps that can be taken to make such visions real Community capacity building? “A ‘melded’ or ‘fused’ discourse that can act as a Trojan horse for neo-liberal ideas within community development” (Kenny, 2002)  Social development, development of human capacities

3. Capacity Building as a Model Not Panacea Community development  part of the modern social democratic project, a civilizing project, to develop, establish, maintain and extend democratic practices and institutions how to advance the cause of social justice and reform, the extent to which economic and political systems can accommodate these competing agendas or whether they merely contribute significantly to inequities and injustice Seen as ambiguous, vague, contested idea as to have a loose umbrella term with a number of models or approaches With social justice framework, it has always involved working with fragile and disadvantaged communities as a prerequisite to greater effectiveness in tackling structural disadvantage building new or strengthening existing community-based organizations, establishing community networks, supporting a local leadership, enabling community members to become more confident in finding their voice, supporting communities identify common concerns or resolve community conflicts

4. In other words it was capacity building for social change rather than for the purposes of ‘getting on’ or bettering oneself, family or close associates, which is what often lies at the root of policies promoting its contemporary namesake. “

5. Community capacity building within a social justice agenda Social justice or community organizing Supporting community initiatives in response to local needs not yet recognized by the state, or to services neglected or abandoned Responded to unpredictable events visited upon a community and on those activities felt to be important by the local community that it wished to address through using its own internal resources Embraced educational work either in the form of opening up new opportunities for individual community members previously denied access to education to extend their knowledge and skill or a broad-based campaign to heighten awareness in relation to a public concern Give due recognition and affirmation to current and historic community strengths and resilience through such events Community Building nestled within a social justice framework and supported by government developed as a policy response to what were perceived to be pockets of deprivation or disadvantaged neighborhoods that required additional support to enable them to experience the fruits of economic growth

6. The Impact of Market Driven Globalization the context in which community development has been practiced has altered significantly in at least three ways the widespread emergence of neo-liberalism with its accompanying critique of state welfare as creating a ‘ dependency culture ’ and the assertion of the market as the only true mechanism to generate long-term and well-founded wellbeing the decline in what has become known as social capital , those ties of reciprocity, mutual support and trust as undermining core social democratic values and practices, locking people and neighborhoods into a spiral of decline and ultimately posing a threat to social order community capacity building as a policy goal has emerged in response to globalization , and during a period in which neo-liberal economics and social conservatism dominated the agendas across the minority world, agendas that inevitably impacted significantly on policies pursued in the majority world

7. The enduring power of capacity building Community capacity building is crucial in addressing challenges faced by social democracies due to neo-liberal policies, social capital decline, and globalization's impact on diversity. It plays a vital role in securing democracies, but it also requires a critical understanding of its potential when connected to a social justice agenda. Capacity building is a concept that speaks to human potential and unrealized powers and resources. French (1999) suggests that capacity acknowledges us as mutually influencing potentialities, with all capacities essential to full human subjecthood. A good society would balance these capacities and inhibit or transform the worst in us. Nussbaum advocates universal application of certain human capabilities, such as bodily integrity, imagination, and control over one's environment.

8. Competence-based learning is a linear or hierarchical concept, focusing on mastering a succession of predefined skills. It is underpinned by technical and instrumental rationality and is often used in professional education. Human capacities cannot be taught but must be developed. Development occurs through opportunities with significant others, often through relationships with 'pedagogic agents’. The development of capacities requires active learning processes such as systematic mentoring, observation, working through experiences, experiential learning, and personal development work. This process of expansion is multidimensional, including intellectual, political, emotional, personal, and systemic aspects. The concept of capacities emphasizes the need to contain emotions, draw u/ pon tacit, intuitive, and unconscious knowledge, and work at ambiguous boundaries of endeavor. It encourages anticipating failure while working on the assumption of success and adopting the position of the romantic ironist as a coping mechanism. The Discourse of Capacity vs Skill-Based Learning

9. The limitations of the self in capacity building Requires strong, not idealized values based on the ego ideal or the good, self-authorization and belief in oneself to be an active subject. Formative experiences can limit our capacity for experience and active subjecthood. Bourdieu's 'habitus' concept highlights the interplay between human agency and social structures, highlighting how our interactions with our social environment restrict our reflexive learning and engagement in the public domain. Bourdieu argues that social and political legitimation often stems from unspoken, prereflective habitual assumptions, influenced by various forms of capital, and that knowledge and experience increase success chances, while rare moments of dissonance present opportunities for critical praxis. Crossley (2003) critiques Bourdieu's oversimplification of social order, highlighting social movement participation's ability to foster political activity and resilience, reinforced by symbolic cultural capital and reflexive practices. Participation in public discourse, based on critique, fosters critical thinking, political skills, and activism. Community development practitioners can share stories of individuals questioning assumptions and their social roles. A social justice model requires recognizing and exploring deeply rooted assumptions, emphasizing critical reflection as a core aspect of good practice.

10. Conclusion Community Capacity Building in Community Development: Emphasizes capacity building as a key policy driver in community development. Influenced by conservative climate and neo-liberalism. Capacity is a progressive, transformatory idea promoting human potential Emphasizes the importance of deep insights into social structures during conservatism. Advocates for practitioners with critical understanding of complex contexts, strategic thinking, and understanding of internal and structural constraints.

11. Thank You~