ABCD-Training-of-Trainers-Tools-July-2013

Be the change you want to see in the world – ‘The Being IS the Doing’
Conscious, informed decision-making is a key element of citizenship and asset-based development. By
becoming more aware of the poverties which we may be exposed to and working on these within, we
are already supporting the shift in consciousness towards an asset-based community-led paradigm. By
becoming more aware of our tendencies and conditioned ways of thinking, we can choose to think and
act in ways that are more skillful and rewarding. Shifting our own paradigms through appreciative
inquiry is also likely to awaken life giving forces and bring greater abundance through laws of attraction.
We may also influence and inspire others, for consciousness tends to spread like a warming fire.
Integrate Asset Based Development in your own personal and professional life
Appreciating and growing personal and organizational assets can be an important aspect of embracing
and facilitating asset-based development within our organizations and communities. It is not easy to
shift organizational culture and there is often resistance not just from our colleagues, but even from
deep within ourselves, as we are often used to the conventional paradigm and the status and position
that it may afford to some of us. There are many ways in which asset based development can be directly
and immediately applied:
• Appreciative Inquiry and Storytelling using personal or organizational timelines; exploring what are
we proud of? Success Stories? Role models?
• Motivating a Core Group: The group reflects on itself through an asset-based lens. Should there be
motivation, a core group/task team can facilitate an asset inventory and mapping within the
organization. Tools can be developed or adapted and can also be applied to our personal lives.
• Asset Inventory and Mapping: using a range of methods and tools, data is gathered on all available
assets; the local economy is also analyzed
• A Strategic thinking process is undertaken to assess the asset base and link assets to opportunities in
the short, medium and long term.
• Documentation and Dissemination: It may be useful to summarize the process; outcomes and
development plan and communicate this with others.
Ripple Effects – think Global, Act Local
It is important in today’s complex global economy that we are aware of what is happening around us
and how we may be affected. We may experience many different frustrations as we engage with
different levels of the development field and it is not possible to focus on all aspects at the same time
nor beneficial to become demotivated and cynical. It may be wiser to focus attention on our ‘Circle of
Influence’ (self, family, friends, colleagues etc.) and put most of your time and energy in this aspect. At
the same time be aware of a ‘Circle of Concern’ which might be much broader. Trust that change does
ripple out and we can have a dramatic positive effect through localized action.
Linking with Government IDP Processes
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