Out of a crisis comes change
Editorial
Community Development is a tool for positive change and one recognised worldwide. It seeks to understand the nature and structure of power in any one society and to rebalance the distribution of power (and therefore resources). The national Community Development Programme employs around 350 people, many of whom have personally experienced some level of poverty, discrimination or alienation. The Programme includes up to 2000 volunteers in its 180 projects who have even more experience. We all buy into the idea of leading from the bottom-up, but what really changes society? Economist Milton Friedman famously wrote: “Only a crisis, actual or perceived, produces real change”. He applied his theory to pushing unregulated free-market capitalism on many underdeveloped countries, or “disaster capitalism” as Naomi Klein terms it. However, his definition of change can be usefully applied at personal, community or nation-state level. People probably need to identify a crisis at personal, family or community level to be prodded into seeking change by joining or setting up a community group. This is a positive reaction to crisis.
***** Meanwhile, at local level, the best thing community organisations in disadvantaged areas could be doing this year is getting people to register to vote. Éamon Ó Cuív has said it before – communities and groups of people who vote get looked after, or at least they don’t come last in the pecking order when politicians are making budgetary decisions. ***** The core-readership of this magazine, volunteers and workers in the Community and Voluntary Sector must work to have their voices heard clearly and in unison on issues as they emerge this year, the rise in racism being one. If doing so, we may also provide leadership by showing good example. ***** Speaking of good example, this issue’s main theme is participation, a cornerstone of community development. One of our highlights is a report on a model of participation involving a CDP in Lifford that has been recognised by the World Health Organisation. The hope is that more will follow their lead.
Published By:
‘Changing Ireland’ is the national magazine of the Community Development Programme and is managed and published by the Community Development Network, Moyross, Limited, through funding from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Postal address: ‘Changing Ireland’, c/o Community Enterprise Centre, Moyross, Limerick. Office base: Unit 3, Sarsfield Gardens Business Centre, Sarsfield Gardens, Moyross, Limerick. Tel Editor: 061-458011. Tel Administrator: 061-458090. Fax: 061-325300. E-mail: editor@changingireland.ie admin@changingireland.ie Website: www.changingireland.ie
***** Another positive action in times of crisis is to be practical. Some argue that Ireland’s economy will go downhill if salaries are cut and if “consumers” cannot spend. I was at a wedding last weekend and a girl at our table wore €700 shoes and I see no loss to society if that type of luxury spending disappears. Public spending cuts and rising taxes are inevitable and I believe it’s better to fight to hold onto the services and programmes for good that we have in this country than to grow bitter over personal spending losses (so long as salary cuts are on a sliding scale and are introduced fairly across the board). In national terms, I never saw the good in running a country on high personal salaries and low-level public services and would have gladly given up 30-40% of my income in return for improved services. Why shouldn’t Ireland follow Scandinavia?
Production:
Editor: Allen Meagher Administrator (part-time): Tim Hourigan Editorial team: Viv Sadd, Niamh Walsh, Juan Carlos Azzopardi and Allen Meagher. Reporting: Articles are primarily written by Community Development workers and volunteers who have an interest in reporting. Design and print by: The Print Factory, Five Alley, Birr, Co. Offaly. W: www.printfactory.ie
***** I’d happily negotiate away up to 30% or more of my income in return for a country: - Where services and supports to the poor, powerless and vulnerable are guaranteed, - Where children and older people come first. Aren’t we calling for that since the Easter Rising? - Where white-collar criminals are jailed and small-time debtors and petty criminals are released and given community service. - Where human rights are properly promoted and protected, - Where public services such as transport are improved, - Where our commitment to official overseas development aid was maintained. - And where our prominent trade union leaders on €120,000 or more per annum saw their pay halved. The same should apply to anyone in politics, administration or banking on such high salaries.
Thanks To . . .
‘Changing Ireland’ thanks everyone involved in the production of Issue 28.
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this newsletter are those of the author concerned. They do not, by any means, necessarily reflect the views of the Editor, the editorial team, the management committee of the Community Development Network, Moyross, Ltd., or the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
2.
www.pavee.ie/mediamonitor/