El otro desarrollo familiar: Una experiencia colombiana

Abstract

This article discusses a ten year effort of teaching, research and practical intervention at the University of Caldas in Colombia, South America, of creating the Other» Family Development (ODF), a theory and practice of including families explicitly and consciously in Development efforts. The article presents the cultural background, the underlying theoretical and practice assumption, the model on which the four-year curriculum and the integrated practice of OFD are based and highlights us inter disciplinary, theoretical and applied components. The innovative feature of this approach is the conceptualization of the family as a potential active and self-directive unii, capable of shaping its own wellbeing and contributing to positive social change in society and the development of a participatory Integrated Practices which advances the family's ability to take greater control over its life.