The practice of international development continues to change as more is understood about what works. A shift from a deficit or problem-solving approach to a strengths-based approach is a significant reframing for international development. A strengths-based approach aims to reveal assets, strengths or what is working within an individual, group, community or organization, then uses these strengths as a way to achieve change and preferred futures. This book sets out the thinking, practical action and evidence-base to inform a sector-wide transformation. For many, this is a radical or even revolutionary shift, but for others, the writing is already on the wall.

The authors set out the strong theoretical and practical basis of a strengths-based approach; explore insight through the lens on power, culture and psychology; and provide examples of how the approach is already applied in practice within the project cycle, monitoring and evaluation, dominant current approaches and sectors of international development.

The theory and rich descriptions of how a strengths-based approach works, will give development workers, governments, researchers, policy makers and donors in the global north and south the confidence to continue or try new this approach to creating change. These fresh perspectives offer a much-needed alternative to the deficit-based/problem solving paradigm that dominates, but is no longer relevant to shared global efforts for social justice and environmental sustainability.

'Somehow in one book Winterford, Rhodes and Dureau have managed to weave together all the strands of theory and practice that have coalesced into a strengths-based approach to development. A wonderful history of how and why the approach emerged, its philosophical underpinnings and its implication for the future of development practice and policy are grounded by the inclusion of 21 wonderful case studies that give the reader a worm’s eye view of how a strengths-based approach is being used by practitioners all over the world.'
Gord Cunningham, Former Executive Director of the Coady Institute

'For several decades Papua New Guinea's local development workers were inspired by a Constitution that endorsed a strengths-based approach to local and national development. They facilitated relationships of solidarity, mutual learning and exchange and hope in building the future they had envisioned. But the emergence of a global development industry has turned all that on its head. The focus, energy, capacities and hope of communities swept away by the tides of needs-based approaches that have inflated the power and purse of (too) many external agents.
The authors provide us with a wealth of knowledge, evidence and analysis, making a reader-friendly, cogent, irrefutable and timely case for ‘A strength-based approach to international development’. This text will inform and inspire at every level – from national and bilateral planners and policy makers to the universities and into the field where the best of NGOs have the commitment and capacity to restore agency and voice to local citizens and their leaders, working together locally and cross country, for the future they want.'
Elizabeth Cox, PNG/Pacific ally, and development worker since 1973

'This book is a breath of fresh-air to the trappings of international development. The strengths-based approach challenges the status quo, equalizes the power-imbalance and shifts the dial in favour of the so-called recipients of aid and beneficiaries of international development. A must read!'
Setareki S. Macanawai, Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Disability Forum

Keren Winterford

Keren Winterford is a Research Director at the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney. Prior to this, Keren has worked in multiple capacities with managing contractors, civil society and as a private consultant. Keren has completed PhD research on practice and outcomes of a strengths-based approach.

Deborah Rhodes

Deborah Rhodes is an international development practitioner, author, and trainer with 35 years of experience largely in Pacific and Asian countries, specialising in topics including working across cultures, capacity development, disability inclusion and strengths-based approaches.

Christopher Dureau

Chris Dureau is a social psychologist, community development facilitator and senior manager in humanitarian aid and international development. He has worked in a wide range of programs to improve front line service delivery in health, education, and democratisation with multi-lateral, bi-lateral and INGOs in over 40 countries of Sub-Sahara Africa, South-East Asia and the Pacific.