Deadly ABCD
Program participants of Deadly ABCD will learn about community building and participation, self-efficacy to act, join others and participate in citizen-driven community efforts (collective efficacy).
The program interweaves First Nation Australian Indigenous culture, values and knowledge and global asset based community-led development practices, which underpins the overall framework. Participatory leadership tools and processes and other strengths-based methodologies, such as Appreciative Inquiry, are also utilised in the development and delivery of the program.
What is Asset Based Community-Led Development
Asset Based Community-led Development (ABCD) is a globally adopted approach that recognises and builds on the strengths, gifts, talents and resources of individuals and communities to create strong, inclusive and sustainable communities. ABCD is a powerful approach to community engagement and development that focuses on abilities and potential, rather than problems and deficits by discovering the resources that are already present in a community. Discovering community strengths is a powerful and productive way to address challenges and issues and to realise a collective vision.
ABCD is at the centre of a large and growing global movement that considers local assets (people, local organisations, place, stories, history) as the primary building blocks of sustainable community development.
By building and strengthening relationships and creating the space for opportunities to emerge, community members realise their potential and become powerful advocates of their own decision making. The following key principles of ABCD demonstrate how participants can encourage inclusive community processes and will leave the program with practical tools to help themselves, and others, discover and mobilise community assets and strengths.
- Focus on assets rather than deficiencies
- Discover and mobilise individual and community assets
- Identify and connect with natural leaders
- Build, strengthen and maintain effective partnerships
- Confidently facilitate group processes
Program Aims
Deadly ABCD is a place-based immersive program that aims to engage, build and strengthen local capacity and confidence to utilise practices and processes to lead and support local initiatives and projects within communities. Deadly ABCD encourage active participation by community members in the cultural, social, economic and environmental development of our communities.
The Deadly ABCD program will:
- Blend cultural awareness, traditional practices and community development to support self and collective efficacy in First Nation Indigenous Australian Indigenous communities.
- Be co-designed with First Nation Indigenous Australian Indigenous Elders, communities, and organisations using an evidence-based community development approach.
- Encourage a whole of government approach to effective strengths-based practice including local, state and federal.
- Provide robust accountability and evaluation by utilising a participatory framework.
