note Note générale

Social Development Research, Policy and Practice: Common Usage of Key Concepts

Context

Part of the strength and usefulness of the concepts listed above comes from their far-reaching appeal and applicability. However, another part may be tied to the fact that differing understandings and definitions exist for many of them. Moreover, a term may have significantly different meanings or interpretations depending on whether it is approached from, for example, a poverty reduction, social intervention or optimisation of market globalisation perspective.

When approaching these concepts from HRDC's social and human development perspective and taking into account the issues facing the national non-profit sector, the poverty reduction context tends to be foremost in the minds of the authors, practitioners and researchers consulted. This context has influenced the nature and issues of the discussion that follows in, what we, the authors hope is the most appropriate manner.