This course explores the meaning and conceptual frameworks of community development as an approach to improving the health of individuals and the broader community in both the local and international context. The material covered facilitates exploration of the fundamental components of community development, such as needs assessment, empowerment, and evaluation. Local and international case examples are used to explore theories and models in practice and to highlight and reflect on the issues and dilemmas faced in community development work across a range of settings. This course is useful for community workers, researchers, policy officers/managers, health service administrators/managers, educators or clinicians. For those with field experience, this course will provide a strong theoretical basis and will introduce some new practice tools. For those with little or no field experience, it provides a good mix of theories, models, practical examples and tools to introduce this exciting approach to improving health.