Development Worker: Definition
A development worker (peacebuilder / peace worker )is an individual who facilitates any step of the peacebuilding process.
It is important for development workers and the assisting personnel to acknowledge that they are one of the most important resources of peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
Stating that “a peacebuilder is the most important resource in any peacebuilding/ conflict transformation process” almost sounds too cliché. But think of what could happen to or all the harm that could be done by a development worker who did not have the capacity to facilitate such peace processes.
Read about Self Awareness, Care and Development in the WorkPlace here
I know.
Here is How a Development Worker Can Impact/ Be Impacted By The Peacebuilding Process
Development Worker’s Occupational Hazards
The physical, mental, and or emotional state of a development worker affects more than the development worker him/ herself.
You know about occupational hazards, right?
Well, you can’t think that it only happens to people who work with things or machines.
Stress and Burnout: Development Worker’s Nightmare
The biggest occupational hazards facing most development workers are stress and burnout. This stress/ burnout may be triggered by the work itself (strict deadlines, etc.), harsh working conditions, and or the suffering of the people the projects’ work for/ with.
- development workers may be adversely affected by any of the work dynamics OR
- They may project unhealthy actions, emotions, etc. to the people they work with/ for
Peace and development projects are affected by the well-being of the peacebuilders or the community itself.
- Let no one assume that you work in vacuum. You are human being, interacting with other humans, and you are likely to be affected or affect by other people’s behaviour, suffering, etc.
Development Worker’s Self Awareness and Self-Care
The more you are aware of your own well-being, situation, pain, beliefs, behaviour, etc., and how you react (are likely to react) to triggers, the higher your chances of ensuring you take care of you, while trying to not hurt others.
Read more on self-awareness and care here
The more you are aware of other people’s aspects, the more you are likely yo treat them better, avoid trouble, etc.
Power Dynamics
The worst mistake a peacebuilder/ development worker can do is to ignore (not acknowledge) power dynamics.
And by power I mean his/ her position, gender, privileges, etc. as well as those of other people.
Power dynamics, however subtle, influence interaction between the development worker and his colleagues or community/ stakeholders, which may ultimately affect the project’s course.
You may not be able to change how other people feel, think or believe in, but you can make them feel at ease and not intimidate/ escalate the situation. It is part of conflict sensitivity.
Read about conflict sensitivity here.
