Singapore University of Social Sciences

CSD507 enables students to understand community leadership in the organisational development of NGOs and VWOs as collective stakeholders with diverse interests. Drawing on relevant multi-disciplinary theories, the course will examine how formal and informal forms of leadership in NGOs and VWOs evolve, including the global shift from more hierarchical structures to more team-based and interactive forms. The ethics of leadership will be discussed, including stakeholder engagement, team-building, community participation, engagement with diversity, collective goals, shared responsibilities, transparency and accountability. The course will study how reflexive and responsive leadership strategies can facilitate shared goals by diverse sectors of society. Complexities and dynamics in the organisational development of NGOs and VWOs will be discussed. Community planning and organising approaches in NGOs and VWOs will be compared in terms of the effective development of community participation, assets and social capital. Multi-country case studies of NGOs and VWOs as agents of change, cultural innovators and social advocates will be used to illustrate best practices and for lessons to be learnt. The course will end with practical learning experiences of situational analysis, critical reflexivity and skills development for participatory decision making.