Transformation Of Values

Transformation is a positive direction, it is a change for the better. This assumes some knowledge of the better or Shalom will be attained. Conceptions of Shaolam will be unique and distinctive for each community and each community must define their own positive future. Likewise, change for the better must be measured by a community's own standard.

Transformation in development also implies that there is value added in the process. Therefore, people must allow their creativity to work together for a mutually benefical change.

Transformation is multi-faceted and holistic approach, involving fundamental changes in many dimensions of the physical, material, emotional, social, spiritual, political, social and economic aspects of life. This extraordinary complexity means that we must be intergrative in our approach. Only thorugh respecting the interrelatedness of all these dimensions of life can we hope to adequately address any specific issues.

PEOPLE cENTERED dEVELOPMENT

Our definition of development is "people in community engaging in a spiritual, social, physical, econonmic and political process of postive transformation towards a sustainable future."

People centered development focuses on the well being of people and their living systems while promoting the worth and dignity of people. It therefore encompasses values change, popular participation, human resources development, gender issues, appropriate technology, children's issues ans sustainability.

People centered development "emphasizes the process of development and its essential focus on personal and institutional capacity." It also rejects the notion of expects, asserting instead that no one is outside of the development process and that each person has something to contribute as well as something to learn.

People centered development seeks the active involvement of all stakeholds in every stage of the development process. It affirms the worth and contribution of every community member.