Mark A. Brennan

Community agency and sustainable tourism development: the case of La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Previous sustainable tourism research has called for the promotion of community-based tourism as a means of achieving sustainable development goals. Such community-based development has been noted as essential for sustainable practices because of its capacity to benefit local populations while reducing tourisms negative consequences. Nonetheless, some researchers have warned that community-based tourism, by itself, does not necessarily lead to sustainable practices. This study examines local social interactional elements necessary for the achievement of sustainable tourism practices. Such practices are attainable when certain attitudinal, organizational and/or behavioral conditions are present within a community. Using a case study methodology, this article examines the interactional elements by which residents of La Fortuna, Costa Rica, engaged in sustainable tourism practices. The study was based on the theoretical notion of the community field. It used key informant interviews and participant observation. The study shows how economic, social and environmentally sustainable practices were made possible through community agency, the construction of local relationships that increase the adaptive capacity of people within a common locality. Key factors found to enable community agency are strong intra- and extra-community interactions, open communication, participation, distributive justice and tolerance.

Conceptualizing Resiliency: An Interactional Perspective for Community and Youth Development

In Europe and in America there is a growing recognition of the need for theory, research, and applied programs that contribute to both community and youth resiliency. This article seeks to build on previous theory and literature to provide a conceptual framework for understanding the mechanisms for linking community and youth resiliency. Included is a review of youth development literature focusing on social networks, social support and the merging of these with community literature emphasizing adaptive capacities and resiliency. The literature and conceptual framework increases our understanding of the interrelationship between youth and community resiliency. From this, future research and applied program and policy that simultaneously shape youth and community adaptive capacities can emerge.

Conceptualizing community development in the twenty-first century

The need to more accurately conceptualize the field of community development has increased during recent decades. This is largely the result of a growing field marked by its multidisciplinary nature, but also because of the multifaceted ways in which communities around the world participate in the development process. In this article, we approach the task of conceptualizing community development by providing a conceptual definition that serves both academics and practitioners. More importantly, based on such conceptualization, we offer a typology that accounts for the different forms in which community development is practiced providing strengths and weaknesses of each form.

The Power of Community

While formally and informally recognized as being central to community action, the research and theoretical literature provide little insight into the processes behind the emergence of community power. When power is explored, it is usually presented in a macro context where a culmination of numerous efforts results in a critical stage leading to a more equitable distribution of power. Far less often is the micro level considered. At the latter level, power is often given only a passing reference as an expected outcome of local empowerment, civic engagement, and capacity-building activities. Generally, it is implied that power naturally emerges from the presence of the latter conditions. An explanation of the processes, mechanisms, and conditions in which community power emerges or fails to emerge remains unstated. To facilitate such an understanding, we seeks to: (1) Explore the ways in which power is conceptualized at the micro level as a component of community development and social change; and (2) provide a theoretical framework, based on a field theoretical perspective, for understanding the processes by which local citizens gain entree to power, as well as interact with elites that might otherwise limit the emergence of local capacity. Implications for future theoretical development are then offered.

Building sustainable communities in forested regions.

ABSTRACT The Northeasts hardwood forests provide myriad resources within a matrix of rural and urban communities. In this region, forest uses such as timber and pulp production compete with demands for recreation, landscapes, and pure water. Forest-based economic development is an enticing approach for preserving the rural character of communities. This study highlights the role and relevance of three factors on forest-based economic development: (1) the community, (2) perceptions, and (3) the resources themselves. Each contributes to our ability to better understand the potential for forest-based economic development. Using input from key informants and residents of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, who participated in a survey about community and economic development impacts of forestry in their area, the findings of this research highlight the importance of local attitudes toward forest-based development, as well as the role of local economic conditions in shaping acceptance for such development.

Bridging Community and Youth Development: Exploring Theory, Research, and Application

Internationally there is a growing recognition of the need for theory, research, and applied programming that contributes to our understanding of both community and youth development (Brennan, 2008; McGrath, Brennan, Dolan, & Barnett, 2009). The merger of these two fields of study is important as both can be seen as interdependent and directly shaping each other. Current program and policy debates concerning the bridging youth and community development have pointed to the need to explore the process by which both emerge more systematically. In response, this special issue of Community Development: Journal of the Community Development Society brings together a wide range of theoretical, empirical, and applied research articles that expand our understanding of the interrelation between youth and community development. While exhibiting great diversity in their methodology, theoretical viewpoints, and models for application, the authors of this special issue are united in their focus on the importance of bringing together youth and community development, as well as promoting the symbiotic relationships of each. The bridging of the two fields of inquiry contribute to a wide range of impacts. Civically engaged youth become empowered to become problem solvers, decision makers, and committed leaders in their community in the future (Barnett & Brennan, 2006). Through the interaction of youth and a wider citizen audience, a more representative voice is provided that reflects the diverse needs and wants of the community. Such interaction sets the stage for the emergence of community (Wilkinson, 1991). Equally important through involvement in their communities, youth gain important protective factors and achieve mastery in social competence, personal efficacy, and sense of purpose, as well as important links to community. Such engagement can set the stage for clearly identified youth roles and long-term participation in the community development process. This special issue brings together a diverse range of experts including academics, extension faculty, and two UNESCO chairs (Pat Dolan and David Driskell) actively exploring the community-youth development interface. Through their work, a mix of quantitative, qualitative, and applied research is provided. All focus on: (a) expanding the theoretical and applied linkages between community and youth development; and (b) exploring the process by which youth civic engagement can contribute to community development, as well as individual personal development among youth and adults. Both goals are invaluable to on-going research, program, and policy efforts designed to better integrate youth into the community development process, as well as to contribute to the social and psychological development of diverse community residents. It is our hope that this special issue will further contribute to dialogue, research, and applied programming that enhances and better merges the process of community and youth development. COMMUNITY AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Historically, youth input in local decision making, problem solving, and community action has received only limited attention. It is also often the case that only token gestures have been presented to youth, resulting in limited contributions to long-term community involvement. Similarly, a process for clearly defining youth roles, responsibilities, and ownership has often been lacking in applied programming. However, recent trends suggest that youth are being called upon to play increasingly important roles in the development of their communities (Huber, Frommeyer, Weisenbach, & Sazama, 2003). As non-profits, volunteer groups, and non-governmental organizations take on greater responsibilities in providing for local well-being, the active contribution of youth is vital to the long-term success of development efforts (Barnett & Brennan, 2006). Similarly, as service learning activities become a more standardized component of high school and college programs, youth are better positioned to contribute to sustainable community development efforts. …

Enhancing Local Capacity and Youth Involvement in the Community Development Process

A need exists for program and policymakers to better understand the factors that influence youth involvement in the community development process. Historically, youth input in local decision-making, problem solving, and community action strategies has received only limited attention. However, recent trends suggest that youth are playing an increasingly important role in the development of their communities. As non-profits, volunteer groups, and nongovernmental organizations take on greater responsibilities in providing for local well-being, the active contribution of youth is vital to the long-term success of development efforts. The importance of youth involvement is particularly relevant in communities throughout Florida, which faces extensive growth pressures, significant sociodemographic changes, and a growing youth population. This study of Florida youth explores the motivations, social interactions, obstacles, impact beliefs, and community attachments that shape youth involvement in their communities. Based on the findings, implications for program and policy development are provided.

Understanding youth civic engagement: debates, discourses and lessons from practice

While civic engagement provides a rich rationale for intervention, the array of discourses urging a focus on youth engagement or action means that the concept can be confusing, cluttered, and lacking consistent operationalization. From the perspective of policy-makers and program managers, it can be challenging to disentangle the competing messages and assumptions about young people that underpin the rhetoric in relation to youth engagement. Using a wide range of international research, the purpose of this paper is to provide clarity regarding the key multiple concepts and issues pertinent to the concept of youth civic engagement. In particular, the paper answers the following questions: what are the definitions, typologies, and discourses in which the concept of youth civic engagement operates, and what are the putative beneficial outcomes of youth engagement identified? We also discuss some of the broader considerations on the positioning of young people in society, which impact the trajectory of civic engagement efforts. As a means for reflecting on their own practices, programs, and approaches, our intent is to provide those involved in both the application and research of youth engagement with a more coherent roadmap of the diversity residing in this field.

The Intersection of Youth and Community Development in Ireland and Florida: Building Stronger Communities through Youth Civic Engagement

Increasingly, researchers and practitioners have begun to explore the intersection between youth and community development, and how these fields of study shape one another. Drawing on data from 607 youth in Ireland and Florida, this article explores the relationships between sociodemographics, social ties, attachment, social supports, quality of life, and interaction on youth civic engagement. These variables continue to surface as indicators of youth community development leading to interactions that may strengthen and benefit communities. This research uncovered similarities as well as distinctly different factors shaping youth activities in these two locations. Overall, social interaction, friendships, and local quality of life were found to be important in all locations. Variables unique to the context of each place were also found to be significant. By considering an interactive and dynamic relationship between community and youth development, stronger communities can emerge. Based on these findings, as well as other emerging research, youth and community development specialists will need to more clearly identify roles and responsibilities for youth in the community building process.

The Effects of Gender Role Conflict on Adolescent and Emerging Adult Male Resiliency

This study examines gender role conflict in adolescent and emerging adult males and how it affects their resilience, or their ability to “bounce back” from adverse circumstances. Specifically, the study investigated the effects of the different patterns of gender role conflict on male adolescent/emerging adult resilience. Results suggest a complex relationship between male gender role conflict and resilience in this sample. Multiple regression modeling showed that as conflict surrounding the Success, Power and Competition (SPC) pattern increased, these male youth reported more resilience. Conversely, as conflict surrounding the Restrictive Emotionality (RE) pattern increased, male youth reported less resilience. Further study is needed to explore these relationships and their effects in adolescent and emerging adult males more closely. More specifically, research should focus on the gender socialization process, the development of gender role conflict, and its effects on male youth throughout the gender development process.