Wk 11

Walden University’s mission statement focuses on social change. (You can learn more about social change at Walden here: https://www.waldenu.edu/about/social-change.) When considering the relevance of social change with respect to social and emotional development, one can reflect on laws instituted by policymakers. As a practitioner in the field, being aware of the channels for communicating with civic leaders and knowing how to effectively use those channels are often important when working for social change. All institutions and groups—not just government entities—have their own politics, which can be thought of as a prevailing mind-set, an internal structure, and channels of influence and power. Being able to incorporate and negotiate these politics in support of social change requires finesse and sensitivity. Understanding this before engaging with others can be helpful, whether these others are legislators, local agencies and institutions, professional associations, neighborhoods, ad hoc teams, or professional colleagues. Power relationships also exist between those working for social change and those who are the primary beneficiaries. Mutual collaboration and power-sharing between the parties involved can empower all toward more lasting social change.