Unit 2: Context

2.1 Introduction to Unit 2: Understanding the context of change

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Members of a women’s group celebrate the success of their garlic project. The women have led efforts to reduce disaster risks and bring essential services to their community. Beldandi municipality, Nepal.
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Four women in brightly coloured clothes kneel on the ground. They smile as they throw petals in the air.

Members of a women’s group celebrate the success of their garlic project. The women have led efforts to reduce disaster risks and bring ...

In this unit we will focus on looking at the context of change; what are the factors affecting change, and the formal and informal spaces where change happens?

We will look at a range of different examples from around the world to help us to understand how variations in the context for change have implications on the strategies and tactics you should or could use as changemakers.

You will take some time to think more deeply about the change that you would like to focus on. Change may be about making progressive advances in laws, policies, norms or practices, but it could also be about resisting negative change occurring as a result of other factors, like attacks on human rights or the powerful few pursuing their own interests. By understanding the context of this change, you can begin to identify what specific actions you could take to contribute towards making the change happen.

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The graphic depicts eight equal-sized circles. At the centre is circle one and the seven other circles orbit around this central circle. Arrows point between the central circle and the outer circles. In the central circle it says Unit 1 understanding ourselves and our own assumptions. The outer circles have the following text. Unit 2 understanding context and how change happens. Unit 3 systems and power. Unit 4 collective action, changemaker characteristics. Unit 5 influencing, power mapping, partners and allies. Unit 6 influencing strategies, messaging and stories. Unit 7 campaigning tactics, action plan, risks. Unit 8 reflection, adaption, overcoming challenges. The Unit 2 circle is coloured green and all the other circles are coloured blue. This emphasises that you are on Unit 2 of the course.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this unit you will:

  • understand the wider context and factors affecting a change issue
  • learn how to apply a change analysis tool to help you understand how change could happen
  • understand the potential for conflict and how to navigate it
  • envision the change you want to see.

2.2 Analysing the context of change