"Community development is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes participative democracy, sustainable development, rights, economic opportunity, equality and social justice, through the organisation, education and empowerment of people within their communities, whether these be of locality, identity or interest, in urban and rural settings."

We discussed this definition of CD at the 2016 annual conference with the IACD. The definition highlights CD as a "profession" and as a "discipline." I would like to emphasize CD also as a "process," although perhaps the part of the definition ("promotes democracy...") may capture this. I think the definition matches well with the CDS Principles.

Perhaps we would exchange a "z" for the "s" in "organization?" :-)

I'm finding it increasingly important to have a definition for CD as I work with students, academics, and practitioners in related fields. I'm very much in favor of having consensus on a broad definition.

I heard a concern recently from a practitioner about defining CD who wanted a broad, flexible definition. He thought everything we do is CD. But, it seems to me, if everything is CD, we don't have a distinctive profession, academic discipline, or process.

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/59cf6d1de4b034ae778d4aba#The Huffington Post piece that we worked on with you is online. You can access the link here. Please share Puerto rico Need us.