10
Theses and Views on Empowerment
We took the english term empowerment for our work because there
is no adequate translation in german language. We are aware that in
using unknown Anglicisms we might create a barrier and possible misunderstandings.
We
consider our work as a part of the global empowerment movement and great
history of humankind. Many women and men did give even their lives for
the vision and mission of empowerment. All we can feel is gratitude
and we will try our best in following the foot steps of so many around
the world.
1. Empowerment was founded in the anglo-american culture and society
as a philosophy of civil rights, freedom and emanzipation. Keywords
are “The Settlement Movement”, “Community Organizing”,
“The Civil Rights Movement” or the “Women’s
Liberation Movement”. The term "empowerment" came up
during the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s. Martin Luther Kings: "I
have a dream" can be considered as empowerment manifest. Empowerment
as a term was published first on a book titel written by Barbara B.
Solomon in 1976: "Black Empowerment. Social Work in Oppressed Communities".
In Germany empowerment
is fairly new and especially used in the field of Social Work. In the
70s we have called its meaning "self help" and "emancipation";
since the 80s "participation" and "equal opportunities"
and in the 90s "self-realization" of to the up-to-date "coaching".
Recently empowerment has shifted to a magic word of new management concepts
in the United States. These are aspects of the idea "empowerment".
However, empowerment is going to become popular and started a special
career around the world in many meanings and on many levels.
2. Empowerment has existed ever since humankind exists being called
other names. Empowerment processes are effective in our outside and
inner life and can't be considered as sperate. Since ancient times of
eastern philosophers, wise Rishis and Yogis of to Buddha Shakyamuni
we know how we can use our personal and transpersonal power to enlightenment
in order to realize our real nature of mind and love. Christians might
stress the mercy of reunification of Father, Son and The Holy Spirit.
Hindus the awakening in Atman, The Devine Father-Mother. There are other
names and ways for Jews and Moslems, Native People and Philosphers all
over the world. Yet, like rivers are meeting the ocean this diversity
shows us the potential of personal and transpersonal empowerment.
3. Empowerment is the potency that bases on our own power and not on
acquiring power based on depriving others of their power. Empowerment
encourages us to increase that strength in ourselves with love and compassion
to ourself and others. Based
on this intension every person possesses power and is able to use the
gift of empowerment in its fully.
4. Empowerment wants to strengthen the power that enables us to release
our potentials to intend our lives for ourselves in our outside and
inner life. Sometimes we do need personal and societal assistance in
order to strengthen our faith in our power, talents and potentials.
The classical help-concepts in Social Work that can cause "learned
helplessness" in their negative forms are the opposite to the approach
of empowerment. Instead of taking over the role of a victim, individuals
and groups are really able to experience their own mastery of life.
Therefore professionals should study empowerment and change their deficit-perspective
torwards their clients.
5. Empowerment processes are merging from the individual into social
groups and organizations. In the age of globalization empowerment is
influencing the entire humankind.
6. Empowerment is going to change into a vogue word of the new century
that goes beyond the field of Social Work. For sure this term shows
a shift of paradigm leading on to more self-responsibility of every
single human and earth citizens all together.
7. Empowerment focuses more than before personal responsibility for
once own potentials, views and beliefs. Self-responsibility not as a
misunderstood Darwinian principal in promoting advantage of the stronger
and privileged, but in difference: Responsibility is combined with mutual
respect and appreciation of the potentials and human rights of everyone.
8. Empowerment does not intend a defined result - its attitude is free
of moral and judgements. The singular personality makes its own decisions
for its own personal process.
9. Empowerment as a counselling concept is not indifferent about the
outer, existential and societal conditions of the individual. It cares
for our common resources and is encouraging the members of a group to
stand up for their rights and their quality of life, better education,
health, living and working conditions. Participation in politics and
communities includes high regard of every single human potential, resources,
talents and gifts, regardless of gender, age, health condition, culture,
race and religion.
10. Empowerment is a philosophy with the perception of a potential human
being and not a new method for professionals. Our vision is to create
"Empowerment Tools" in the hand of the users to transmit the
empowerment philosophie into simple but intelligent and easy using tools.
Everybody, community members, clients, students, pupils and especially
uneducated people als well as social workers, health professionals,
psycholocists and teachers should be able to use those tools for themselves,
their meaning of life and work. Every woman, man and child should become
access to the wisdom and tools of empowerment.
These views of Beate Blank, the founder of empowerment
consulting, are her theses regarding the current discourse
and future development of empowerment theorie and practice.
empowerment consulting® creates
with this attitude of mind and spirit; with the consideration of the
beauty and potentials of everybody, every group or organisation the
intermediate space in which development and self-realization is possible.
Therefore
the unfolding ROSE in
our logo shows your potential as a symbol of empowerment.
Stuttgart, February 1999
Beate Blank