Using a community development approach with refugee communities.

In recent years the number of displaced persons and refugees has grown significantly (Andrew & Lukajo: 2005, p.224; Craig & Lovel: 2005, p. 131). Refugees are a particularly vulnerable people, not only traumatised by violence, but by the experience of being dislocated from their community and their country (Foundation House: 2006, p.7). Once displaced people are relocated to a receiving country, they then face the experience of social exclusion as they attempt to acclimatize (Craig & Lovel: 2005, p. 133). While obviously refugees benefit from individualised programs that address practical aspects of life in their new country, we can argue that taking a community development approach to assisting refugees can help to alleviate some of the significant problems they face in attempting to adjust (Craig & Lovel: 2005, p. 133; Foundation House: 2006, p.7). If the aim of community development is to help those with the least power in a society gain more control over their lives (Kenny: 1999, p.44), then refugees are clearly a logical target for community development. Refugees face innumerable challenges in their transition from homeland to country of settlement. Some challenges are of a devastating nature - war, rape, violence (Foundation House: 2006, p.7) - while some are more logistical - learning a new language, adapting to a new cultural/educational/political system (Humpage & Marston:2005, p.139). Once a refugee is settled in their new country, these challenges combine to create a difficult environment for refugees and community workers alike. While programs that help refugees with the practicalities of living in their new home are necessary and valuable (Green & Haines: 2002, p.20), there is an argument that adopting a community development approach to settlement programs would be more effective in addressing the more profound problems of fractured communities and loss of identity (Craig & Lovel: 2005, p. 131). Furthermore, a community development approach can be more culturally appropriate than individual or family-based interventions (Foundation House: 2006, p.10). Ultimately a community development approach aims at helping refugees rediscover their collective strength based on evidence that shows when people feel more in control and see their world as comprehensible, meaningful and manageable...external stressors are mediated and psychological problems reduced (Craig & Lovel: 2005, p. 134). Some of the principles of community development that would be especially relevant in working with refugees are briefly considered in the following paragraphs. Principles such as valuing local knowledge and respecting local culture; encouraging a collaborative approach between the community and the community development worker; and community capacity building. Valuing local knowledge and resisting the temptation to privilege the expert knowledge of the community development worker, over the knowledge of the community is crucial in working with refugees (Ife: 2002, p.102). While undoubtedly refugees often lack knowledge
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of the language and systems in their receiving country and rely on community workers to assist them with this, workers should avoid taking a culturally imperialist or colonialist approach or imposing their dominant culture onto refugees (Ife: 2002, p.106). Recognising and valuing local knowledge within refugee communities is vital. The Foundation House report, Coming Together: Two Cultures, One Life, describes a project with a Sudanese refugee community in Melbourne, where two Dinka community development workers were part of the community development team. The workers expert knowledge of their community enabled local leaders and elders to be easily identified and furthermore their language skills were invaluable when working with the community (Foundation House: 2006, p.2 & p.34). Immigrants social and cultural backgrounds must be recognised, and differences in need between and within different groups also (Andrew & Lukajo: 2005, p.230). Undoubtedly cultural issues can be difficult for community workers who may find their cultural values challenged when working with refugees (Foundation House: 2006, p.10; Ife: 2002 p.105). Ife suggests community workers should try to avoid the assumption that their cultural traditions are superior to those of the community, and they should try to work with the local culture, without deferring to it absolutely (Ife: 2002, p. 105). Self aware practice is vital as cultural differences can lead to a failure of community development projects (Andrew & Lukajo: 2005, p.228) Ultimately, Ife reminds us, working in solidarity with the community is the key (Ife: 2002, p. 156). Community development often originates from organisations outside of the targeted community, however success is dependent on how much the community engages with and takes ownership of a project (Foundation House: 2006, p.21). It is important refugees themselves have control over programs designed to help them, and are not mere spectators in meeting their own needs (Andrew & Lukajo: 2005, p.230; Humpage & Marston:2005, p.142). Participatory and culturally appropriate systems need to be developed to enable people to contribute. Craig and Lovel argue that we need to find research methods that fit the people to more accurately develop and evaluate initiatives and interventions (Craig & Lovel: 2005, p. 131). The Foundation House project is a clear example of a targeted community being involved from the beginning (Foundation House: 2006, p.3), and was marked by a strong sense of shared purpose between the workers and the community (Foundation House: 2006, p.11). While obviously community development aims to encourage subsidiarity and believes people posses the skills and knowledge to identify and address their own needs (Kenny: 1999 p. 7), in the case of severely traumatised people, this takes time. The reality of adjusting to a new language and culture while simultaneously suffering the effects of trauma and dislocation means refugees may need plenty of time before they are ready to take on full responsibility for their own needs (Andrew & Lukajo: 2005, p.224; Foundation House: 2006, p.9; McLure: 2012, p.15). Programs that connect refugees to the broader community and
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build community capacity and leadership skills in newly arrived groups are an important first step that can lead to communities eventually finding their feet and their voice in their new country (Andrew & Lukajo: 2005, p.229; Foundation House: 2006, p.56; Humpage & Marston: 2005, p.143; McLure: 2012). Using a community development approach with refugees is both logical and necessary. Issues of trauma and community breakdown that affect whole communities are better able to be addressed and by following the principles of community development, issues of cultural difference can be managed, communities can be helped to recover and regroup, and refugees can ease their way into their new country.

References: Andrew, FA and Lukajo, NM (2005) Golden opportunities - reality or myth? Horn of Africa female migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in The Netherlands, Community Development Journal Vol 40 No 2 April 2005 pp. 224-231 Craig, G and Lovel, H (2005) Community development with refugees: towards a framework for action, Community Development Journal Vol 40 No 2 April 2005 pp. 131-136 Foundation House (2006) Coming Together: Two cultures, one life, Community Development with Sudanese Refugees: A Case Study, Brunswick, Victoria: Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc. Green, GP and Haines (2002) Asset Building & Community Development, Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Humpage, L and Marston, G (2005) Cultural justice, community development and onshore refugees in Australia, Community Development Journal Vol 40 No 2 April 2005 pp. 137-146 Ife, J (2002) Community Development: Community-based alternatives in an age of globalisation, Frenchs Forrest, NSW: Pearson Education Kenny, S (1999) Developing Communities for the Future: Community Development in Australia, 2nd Ed. Melbourne:Nelson ITP McLure, B (2012) Strengthening New Refugee Communities in the West: Project Report, Melbourne: Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne http://www.ccam.org.au/PorClaire Gregory - November 2012

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