The Ministry of Community Affairs and Housing is focused on formulating and implementing key strategies to strengthen local communities and producing productive, healthy and happy citizens. Community development is the processes of helping communities fortify themselves and allowing citizens to prosper and realize their full potential.
The Ministry has therefore solicited the assistance of an overseas community development consultant who will train staff from the Community Development Unit of the Department of Children and Family Services, in community outreach techniques.
The training is part of government’s move to strengthen its community outreach efforts, in particular, adopting a participatory approach wherein government agencies collaborate more closely with communities in their growth and development.
The community development consultant, Dr. Peta-Anne Baker, is the coordinator of the Social Work Programme in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. She will be in Cayman from 15-22 November to assess training needs and conduct relevant sessions.
Dr. Baker has written articles and conducted extensive training and research in the areas of social policy and planning; gender analysis; and sustainable social development, including community organising and development.
Dr. Baker received her Doctorate in social welfare from Case Western Reserve University in the US; a Master’s in Philosophy in development studies from the University of Sussex, England; and her Bachelor of Science Degree in social work from the University of the West Indies.
Minister of Community Affairs and Housing, the Hon. Mike Adam, MBE, said Dr. Baker’s visit is key, as the Ministry works to encourage community members to participate in the development of strategies that affect them.
“Stable communities are the foundation upon which we build a prosperous economy," Minister Adam noted.
The Minister also underscored that partnerships between government and the community is critical, noting that government staff must harness their skills in order to engage citizens in their own development.
