Table of ContentsCommunity DevelopmentCommunity Development ProgramEssential Elements of Community DevelopmentCommunity Development During the Early Stages of DevelopmentObjectives of the Community Development ProgramPhilosophy Behind the Community Development ProgramThe CommunityThe term community is a group of people who live in a geographical area and are interested in each other in order to earn a living. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay “A community, although composed of many parts, is also part of a larger social system. It is a dynamic social unit. which is subject to change of internal or external origin. DevelopmentDevelopment refers to growth or maturation. This involves gradual and sequential phases of change. According to MacIver, “development” means upward evolution in a process “that is, increasing differentiation.” Community development is an ongoing process of social action by which members of a community: define their common and group needs; organize formally and informally for democratic planning and action; Develop group and individual plans to meet their needs and resolve their problems; Execute their plans while relying as much as possible on their own resources; Supplement their resources outside the community, if necessary, with services and materials. According to Carl Tylor, "Community development is a method by which people in villages participate in the improvement of their own economic and social conditions and thus become effective working groups in the program of their national development." This assumes that people have become dynamic though. they are allowed to make their own decisions and are supported to continue with the program. Community Development Program Community development program was started in India, just after independence (1952). It was a multi-project program aimed at the overall development of rural populations. This program included agriculture, livestock, irrigation, cooperation, public wealth, education, social education, communication, village industries, etc. There are managers for each activity at the district level to plan the implementation and evaluate the program down to the village level. Elements of Community DevelopmentThe successful community development program emphasizes the following basic elements: Activities undertaken must correspond to the basic needs of the community. The first projects should be launched in response to the needs expressed by the population. There should be concerted action and the establishment of programs with multiple objectives. Changing the attitude of the people is as important as material achievement through community development during the early stages of development. DevelopmentCommunity development aims at increased and better participation of the population in community affairs, the revitalization of existing forms of local government and the transition to effective local administration where it is not yet functioning. Identifying, encouraging and training local leaders should be a fundamental objective in greater reliance on the participation of women and youth in community projects to reinvigorate development programs, establish them on a broad basis and enable them to achieve long-term expansion. To be fully effective, the