Theoretical framework, goal and orientation

Diakonia's theoretical approach is briefly described as empowering the poor – challenging the privileged.

Diakonia defines and analyses poverty as multidimensional, where lack of power, choice and material resources are taken into account, and where formal an informal structures generate and reproduce poverty. This multidimensional view of poverty includes how the individual experience her or his situation of poverty, i.e. the perspective of the poor.

Diakonia believes that sustainable development for poverty eradication must be based on the empowerment and qualitative participation of hitherto discriminated groups and individuals. Diakonia believes that such participation is conducive to senses of ownership, responsibility and ultimately empowerment, and when people’s participation includes these characteristics, we may speak of a socially sustainable development.

Given Diakonia’s emphasis on the political dimension of a socially sustainable development, citizens’ self-organization for management of common concerns and collective mobilisation for political influence is viewed as crucial. This puts focus on the importance of a strong and vibrant civil society as counterpart to a strong democratic state for effective democratisation and development.

Diakonia engages in countries and develops programmes by focusing on the identification of dynamic processes for change which are already in motion. In these processes we have come to identify important steps on the way:

A normal condition for Diakonia’s work in developing countries is that it is carried out in contexts where limited development combined with weak and authoritarian states have produced weak and fragmented civil societies.

This situation is often underpinned by prevailing elitist and exclusive structures of social, economic and political power. Hence, Diakonia’s main rationale for engagement may at times be to focus on strengthening local organisations mobilised around practical needs rather than being strategic or political, e.g. via small-scale productive projects or the provision of basic education.

Consequently, the strategies applied and roles played by Diakonia and partners differ between regions, countries and over time. In this way, the qualitative participation of the poor and discriminated in matters of societal concern is not only a means but to a high degree an end in itself, which corresponds to the understanding of democratisation as a long-term process.