Social Development: Theory and Practice

The Contribution of Social Entrepreneurship in Meeting the Needs of Orphans in the Mberengwa District, Zimbabwe

“…The findings demonstrate that the link between social capital and social development is supported by the principle of empowerment, which entails that power relations shift towards people achieving greater control and influence over decisions and resources that impact on the quality of their lives through increasingly interdependent relationships (Department of Social Development, 2011). Midgley (2014) confirms that through social capital the cooperative social relationships within communities allow them to have control over their decisions and choices. The contribution of social capital to the development of the projects is also implicit in the contention of the World Bank (2011) that social capital in the form of institutions, relationships and norms shapes the quality and quantity of a society's social interactions.…”

“…The study's findings resonate with Midgley's (2010) view that the strengths-based perspective enables communities to recognise their inner resources, skills and capacity for growth. Furthermore, findings illustrate that being committed to a common cause such as caring for orphans is key for the community to initiate projects without external intervention or support as they identify the assets and resources within their environment and utilise them to achieve their desired goals (Midgley, 2014).…”

The Challenge to Promote Social and Economic Equality in Namibia Through Social Work

“…Whilst developmental social work utilises interventions that strengthen human and social capital, empowerment, employment, microenterprises and access to social welfare rights (Midgley, 2014), the findings show a lack of allocated funding to enable social workers to implement interventions targeted at vulnerable people. The lack of funding was an overall concern, especially for participants who received developmental social work training, as it impacted on the nature of their work.…”

Rural Prosperity for Development : understandings, Determinants and Strategies Derived from Case Studies in Seven Countries

“…It was this realisation that pushed forward the specific analysis of Social Capital as a key concept for prosperity, and is therefore the main theme explored in this 4 th chapter. Social Capital is a concept that has been used in many different disciplines, and has also become an important analytical concept and policy tool within rural development (Lin, 2001;Midgley, 2013). However, it does not count with a specific nor consensual definition yet.…”

“…Individualism means that everyone succeeds or fails on the basis of own actions and abilities while the social capital concept focuses on the nature and role of relationships and how these play a key role as hidden resources in being successful in all areas of life ─ work, family, community (Coleman, 1988;Baker, 2000). Social capital has also become an important analytical concept and policy tool within rural development (Putzel, 1997;Lin, 2001;Midgley, 2013) and prosperity (Darnhofer et al, 2014). Here the focus is on how it affects the capabilities of rural people to organize themselves for development (Woolcock, 1998;Guenther and Falk, 1999;Portes and Landlot, 2000).…”