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

4. Anticipatory Principle: Human systems move in the direction of their images; what we choose to
study makes a difference. Social systems evolve towards the most positive image they hold of
themselves.
5. Positive Principle: Positive questions lead to positive change. If you change the inner dialogue or
what people in any organization and community talk and story about, you change the organization
itself.
6. Wholeness Principle: Wholeness brings out the best in people and organizations; bringing all
stakeholders together in a group forum that stimulates creativity and builds collective capacity.
7. Enactment Principle: To really make change, we must “be the change we want to see.”
8. Free Choice Principle: People perform better and are more committed when they have the freedom
to choose how and what they want to contribute.
9. Resilience Principle: Every individual, organization or community has something that has given life in
the past and some strength that continues to sustain it in the present. ‘Every community has more
potential resources than anyone person knows’.
10. Organic Principle: All that is alive has a blueprint for its own success or self-growth written within it.
All it needs is a nurturing and supportive environment. This is related to the theories of bio-cultural
diversity.
11. Narrative Principle: Stories provide a platform for increasing the level of awareness of past events
and achievements and have the ability to ignite the imagination into visioning a more desirable
future.
12. Awareness Principle: Any being or any living system can generate a greater possibility of becoming
more effective through the process of becoming more aware of what exists within that living system
Example of ABCD Principles (3)
(Source: Bank of I.D.E.A.S (2011). Ten key community development beliefs. Available from:
http://www.bankofideas.com.au/Downloads/Ten_Community_Beliefs.pdf)
Ten Key Community Development Beliefs
1. Meaningful and lasting community change always originates from within. Local residents in that
community are the best experts on how to activate that change.
2. Community residents act responsibly when they care and support what they create.
3. Building and nourishing relationships is at the core of building healthy and inclusive
communities.
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