Reflecting on 40 Years of Community Development Practice with Janine Ward

On 9 September 2026, Janine Ward, IACD Trustee for Sub-Saharan Africa and Founder and Director of SPACE South Africa, joined IACD for a special webinar marking 40 years in the field of community development. Janine shared a deeply personal reflection on her four-decade journey, weaving together her life story, the evolution of her practice, and her enduring relationship with Asset-Based Citizen-led Development (ABCD). The session offered participants a space for remembering, reconnection and rediscovery, exploring the experiences and insights that have shaped Janine’s work and thinking over the years. Janine also reflected on her presentation at the World Community Development Conference 2026 in Glasgow, where she first shared this story with an international audience. Whether you are new to community development or an experienced practitioner, this recording offers an opportunity to reflect on the personal and professional journeys that shape our work and inspire collective action.

Watch the recording on our YouTube Channel