How do we tell what 'good work' is, and what principles do we use as
the basis of our strategic work? Just how do we define progressive social change?
I've found the following 4 points useful.
ie. does it help empower people to take greater control over their own lives. This implies devolution of power, the provision of choice and an adequate diversity of options to choose from.It also affects the style of our work...eg. we don't use easy emotional appeals (like fear-mongering), or slick advertising tricks to influence people. Instead we explain the benefits to people in terms they can understand and try to harness their judgement to make reasoned decisions.
ie. does it increase the involvement of people in decision-making which affects them?For SCM, this usually means including communities or workforces in campaigns, and fits well with our 'advocacy' strategy. At its best it involves us encouraging authorities to share responsibility with their constituencies, and people being educated to use that responsibility wisely.
Participation is also good because it is all about mobilising the creativity and energy of individuals for social change.
ie. does it encourage social justice and the fair distribution of resources?Not all 'progessive social change' is good. We need to be careful to ensure that improving the lot of some groups means not disadvantaging or locking out others.
Major differences in wealth and access to services and opportunity impoverish everyone, not just the poor. It encourages a society of warring social factions which erodes whatever advances are achieved in other sectors.
ie. does it help maintain the social, economic and environmental 'capital' for future generations?SCM should be careful that its campaigns do not waste resources or encourage others to do so. In its broad sense sustainability includes the first 3 points.
The principle of ecologically sustainable development (ESD) is a powerful intellectual tool which can be applied in lots of situations. ESD translates into a broad agenda for social and environmental change.
In its environmental work, SCM should be especially concerned with the urban environment, since that is generally neglected by the environment movement and government alike. If cities cannot be made sustainable then there is little hope for the rest of the planet. Also, that is where most people live, so it is part of equity.
