The author is Executive Director of community Development Research Association (CDRA), Cape Town

My thoughts are triggered by two questions raised in the Broker’s Special Report on Civic Driven Change. The first is whether there is anything new in this discourse and whether there is the promise of it being a ‘third narrative’.

To a South African practitioner who has surfed many waves of re-articulating our role and purpose, the value of this exploration does not lie in its newness. I experience the common thread that runs through the concept of CDC as very familiar.

There is an already well established seedbed of organisations that have a growing understanding and practice of what is now being referred to as CDC. This collection of papers is certainly not the beginning of ‘the third narrative’ but potentially a timely bringing together of some of its interpretations and applications. Those who understand that development is about systemic change that shifts relationships (particularly of power), driven by those most excluded in civil society, should not now be distracted into feeling the need to defend or justify their approach.

The real value of re-visiting the essential elements of the CDC-type approach at this point lies in the need to differentiate, consolidate and pursue it with more confidence and competence. Within the industry referred to in this discourse as ‘aided development’ those adopting a CDC approach must offer their contribution more boldly.

Certainly in my country right now, and I sense in many parts of the world, our political, economic and social institutions are failing to fulfil their deeper social purpose. The excesses of what were previously strengths in our organisations and institutions are now becoming major limitations to further progress. Amongst the CDC adherents of the ‘aided development’ sector there is much talk of transformation. I believe that our time is now! We must be courageous in our search for innovative organisational forms shaped by the challenges of our time. The big question we must ask ourselves now is what (if anything) does the ‘aided development’ sector have to offer from its experience and learning?

As for the second question posed - what do we do on Monday?! To those of us who do not experience CDC as new I suggest that:

• We use this opportunity to re-connect to the principles and values that form the foundation of CDC, renew our commitment to it and connect ourselves to a few others for solidarity and learning.
• We find the courage to start challenging and abandoning the practices that are contrary to and undermining of our purpose.
• We start experimenting in our own organisations with innovative forms that are shaped and driven more equally by the needs and contributions of all within them.
• We continue to collaborate in developing a rigorous organisational practice that amplifies the voices and influence of those previously excluded, diminished and marginalised.

It is my experience that too many organisations claiming to empower and promote systemic change are themselves trapped in redundant organisational forms and practices that do the opposite. In meeting the challenges facing society now they will ultimately have little to offer. Perhaps the third narrative should be about change driven, not from the top down or the bottom up, but from the inside out.