Abstract for presentation at Global Social Work 2004

This paper seeks to discuss civil society's role in the process of local development undertaken by countries transitioning towards democracy. It will compare and contrast the experiences of the Philippines, where civil society organizations are working to build the structures for more substantial democracy after the twenty-one year dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, and Romania, where civil society organizations are faced with the challenge of rebuilding the country after reeling from Nicolae Ceauçescu’s totalitarian rule. The study will illuminate the limits and possibilities offered by the democratization processes in both countries in terms of how civil society organizations can participate more meaningfully in local development and in the process contribute to establishing structures of democracy.
Lessons gleaned from the experiences of both countries will add to the current theory and skills base of the social work profession particularly in the area of macro practice. The findings will enhance theoretical foundations of community organizing work which draw heavily on theories of democracy, governance, and popular participation. It will also provide new insights on particular skills and orientations that will be useful for social workers to have, especially those working in communities in countries seeking to broaden democratic space.