The People’s Development Trust – Yvonne Kucuk

1. The People’s Development Trust – Yvonne Kucuk A lot of the work of the Trust is based on the theory of activists like Antonio Gramsci – Paolo Friere and Saul Alinsky. We work in partnership with John Wheatley College and Glasgow University to provide educational opportunities for all of our activists. “As an organizer I start from where the world is, as it is, not as I would like it to be. That we accept the world as it is - does not in any sense weaken our desire to change it into what we believe it should be – it is necessary to begin where the world is if we are going to change it to what we think it should be. That means working in the system. (Alinsky 1972: )

2. What is Community Activism? • Activists are people who see the need for change, improvement, and motivation on a large scale. • They are people driven by passion, keen to share facts they want understood more widely, and led by a vision for a better future. • Activism comes naturally to some, while for others, it's something that is thrust upon them as a result of particular experiences or upon learning about something they passionately believe needs to change. • Whatever your reason for wanting to become an activist, you have the ability to do so no matter your age, your means, or your background. • Having the belief that you can make a difference and that you have the power to do something about an issue are at the heart of creating change for the better.

3. What is Community Development • Collectively bring about social change and justice by working with communities to • Identify their needs, opportunities, rights and responsibilities • Plan organise and take action • Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the action all in ways which challenge oppression and tackle inequalities.

4. The Journey • WHY ARE YOU HERE? • WHAT PROPELS YOU INTO ACTION?

5. The Discovery As disadvantaged communities begin to gain confidence and assert themselves, they frequently go through a stage of becoming more articulate in their grievances against whatever authorities they have to deal with. In mature CD theory and practice there is a well recognised journey from powerlessness through blame and protest to confidence, responsibility, negotiation and partnership. We then develop and encourage the growth of our own activists and we set them upon a journey of discovery one which starts with capacity building through to Activate and ultimately the BA Community Development degree course at Glasgow University

6. Activate and BACD Glasgow University Our main aim is to give people who are active in their community an opportunity to reflect on what they do and why they do it. Participants get the opportunity to examine different practice approaches to working in the community, all of which will assist them in being even more effective in their practice. In addition to this, the programme contributes to the sustainability of organisations, networks and initiatives and leads to increased community participation. Its main aim is to give people who are active in their community an opportunity to reflect on what they do and why they do it. Participants get the opportunity to examine different practice approaches to working in the community, all of which will assist them in being even more effective in their practice. In addition to this, the programme contributes to the sustainability of organisations, networks and initiatives and leads to increased community participation.

7. Gramsci – Hegemony & Organic Intellectuals The creation of working class intellectuals actively participating in practical life, helping to create a counter hegemony that would undermine existing social relations was Gramsci’s contribution to the development of a philosophy that would link theory with practice Gramsci wrote that “the mode of being of the new intellectual can no longer consist in eloquence … but in active participation in practical life, as constructor, organiser, “permanent persuader” and not just a simple orator…” [Gramsci 1971 p10] The role of informal educators in local communities links up with Gramsci’s ideas on the role of the intellectual. The educator working successfully in the neighbourhood and with the local community has a commitment to that neighbourhood. They are not ‘here today and gone tomorrow’. They may have always lived in the area and have much in common with the local people or they may not. What is important is that they develop relationships with the people they work with that ensures that wherever they go, they are regarded as part of the community (‘one of us’). “They can strive to sustain people’s critical commitment to the social groups with whom they share fundamental interests. Their purpose is not necessarily individual advancement, but human well-being as a whole” (Smith 1994 p127).

8. Tool and Techniques Everyone likes to think that they are observant and most community activists believe themselves to have their finger on the pulse of what is happening locally. Perception and presumption are rife in communities and the journey we encourage local people to use can rebuild their whole thought process by using community development tools and techniques. We remove the blinkers from people eyes and employ several methods and theories to introduce and challenge our activists and encourage critical thinking. Locally over 60 people have taken part in the process and most of the participants at degree level now run and manage very successful community projects.

9. SEEING IS BELIEVING

10. “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” Pablo Picasso QUESTIONS?