Abstract

This book responds to an urgent need to reinvigorate collective community action for just change in Australia. At a crucial point in its evolution this book gives a critical perspective to working with communities. It argues that working collectively with communities is vital in this time of rampant individualism and rapid social change. This book explores many ongoing debates about work with communities: • How should we think about the concept ‘community’? • How should we relate to governments? • How do we know we make a difference? • How do we learn from our practice? The book offers promising ideas for practice and growth in this field for the future. It provides critical questions for practice useful for those involved in community action including: community members, paid community workers and policy makers.