2B Identify the individual’s willingness to engage in a public process to bring about change and facilitate the move from private concern to public action

Many people may not know about the processes involved in taking action in the public arena. A community development worker’s role is to inform individuals and community groups about these public processes and determine their willingness to participate in them.

Workers should respect the right of individuals and groups to make their own decisions about whether they want to take action on a particular issue and what action this may be.

You can identify a person’s willingness to engage in public action by their desire for more information, their attendance at meetings or activities and by their demeanour. Make sure that you obtain consent before providing their information to anyone else involved in the public action.