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Asset-Based Community Development: Asia Pacific Network

ABCD Institute logo Asset-based community development (ABCD) contrasts with traditional problem-solving philosophies by focusing on the assets and strengths of a community rather than its needs and weaknesses. It was developed in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s by two men, Jody Kretzmann and John McKnight, in response to the problems facing many inner-city neighbourhoods at the time.

Kretzmann and McKnight have visited Australia many times over the years, most recently in 2006 with a national series of train-the-trainer workshops. There is now a lively community of individuals and organisations who have adopted their original philosophy and applied it – with variations – to their own particular area.

The ABCD Asia Pacific Network is a group of organisations, well versed in the principles of ABCD, who offer support, showcase successes, provide hints on how to approach challenges, and give ideas on how to evalulate your ABCD-based program.

Follow this link for information on the forthcoming ABCD for Inclusion Workshops to be held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Newcastle in July 2008.