Community Development & Social Work Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Community Development & Social Work - Assignment Example This essay highlights that one of the principles of social work is treating people with respect and dignity. Intimidation must not form part of social work and cultural differences should be duly recognised. Protection from harm and fair share in resources must be promoted. Any form of discrimination must not be practised; options must be made available; and obstacles must be lessened. In social work, the needs of others must be prioritised and social workers must make use of their skills and abilities in resolving conflicts among the members of the community. Trust and confidence in the exercise of duties must be practised and people should be given the highest quality of service. As the paper declares community development is centered on the values of social justice, self determination, working and learning together, sustainable communities, participation and reflective practise. Some underlying principles that strengthen social justice are showing respect for individuals’ civic and human rights; being sensitive to cultural diversities, differences in beliefs and ideologies; promoting equal career opportunities; and discouraging discrimination. Self-determination can be shown by identifying first and foremost, the root of the problem currently experienced by the community. Developing a sustainable community is one of the goals of a community development worker. The right of the community must be fully respected by community workers in deciding what is beneficial for them. ... Making people aware of the alternatives available and conferring with them about the repercussions and other concerns related to the wide variety of possible choices given; upholding the right perspective that other communities should not be regarded as inferior; and properly addressing clashes within the community are also some ways of exhibiting self-determination (Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition 2011). Another principle essential for the development of a community is the value of working and learning together. This principle can be promoted by establishing that collaborative working is better and more efficient than doing tasks individually. This entails a shorter period of time and less effort for the task to be done, encouraging people to contribute for the welfare of the whole community and urging them to work as one. Moreover, this assures people that all views or suggestions are considered and making them feel that they are essential members of the community, and lastly by trying to build up a culture of knowledgeable and responsible decision makers (Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition 2011). Developing a sustainable community is one of the goals of a community development worker. This can be made by encouraging self-sufficiency among the members of the community, developing the abilities of the people to be productive citizens; upholding the value of independency; learning from past mistakes and by using few resources from the environment while generating less waste and pollution (Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition 2011). The right of the community must be fully respected by community workers in deciding what is beneficial for them. The needs of the community, the