Written mediation task

Read the instructions for the task. With the information given, produce
a text using your own words. (approximately 200 words)

Task description:

Write a blog entry for your website based on two texts that you have
recently read and analyse the role of community development in our
society as you inform your readers about the special position of
community development workers and how challenging social problems
can be resolved. Include your own ideas in your answer.

1) Text 1

Collective Action

The idea behind community development is simple: residents come

together to generate solutions to common problems. Engagement in
community service generates a participatory energy that makes people
feel integrated and involved. This sense of community brings out the
best in people, and inspires them to do more for themselves and their
communities. In working together they not only improve the quality of
their lives but also of those that need it the most as they address social
issues related to poverty, crime and health, which has a positive
impact on society at large.

2) Text 2

Social Work

The role of a community development worker depends on the needs of

the people they serve. Their main objective is to generate community
involvement programs that allow local citizens to contribute to their
community's development plans. Some administer programmes
designed to help specific groups as well as assess community needs
on a larger scale. As counsellors, they have an important role in
helping communities overcome grave social issues by providing the
energy that empowers residents to use their knowledge and resources
to make a difference in their communities by volunteering for social
causes.
Sample answer:

Many Hands Make Light Work. Open Cloze test:

Have you ever stopped to consider how we can create a better future?
Are you willing to play an active role in it?

The saying "many hands make light work" is an example of how our
very language reveals the level of importance placed (1)___________
cooperation. Likewise, both the collective action involved in
community development and the workers (2)___________ facilitate it
have powerful positive influences.

First of all, we can all obtain substantial benefits (3)___________

people are working together to solve problems in their communities.
This form of community development is said to make citizens feel
(4)__________ important members of a group when they play a
meaningful role in community projects, which improves their well-
being. At the same (5)_________, this participation helps to resolve
challenging social problems, which helps the whole community. These
points provide a convincing argument for the good that comes
from collective action. An additional benefit is that solutions
reached by a community working together are more (6)__________ to
persist because each individual understands and values them.

Secondly, we should not lose (7)__________ of the special

responsibilities of the community development worker, who are the
people who make plans and create effective ways to engage all
members of a community (8)_________ development
projects. Additionally, they also have the duty of supporting
individuals and help them develop the mental strength to work with
their community towards solutions, which seems to be an accurate
portrayal of this essential role. Furthermore, it is (9)_________
adding that they also guide the process of conflict resolution,
whenever necessary, to help residents reach
agreements (10)_________ the best way forward.

All in all, I agree with the view that it is of paramount

importance that all citizens work together for community development,
and that community development workers have a special position in
the process. (11)___________ we all engage in this way, surely we
can create a better future.
KEY

1. on

2. who

3. when, whenever, if

4. like

5. time

6. likely

7. sight
8. in

9. worth

10. on

11. If