Das Themenspektrum der Konferenz des Inter-University Consortium for International Social Development reicht von allgemeinen Beiträgen zu Konzept und Rolle von Zivilgesellschaft bis zur Darstellung von Beispielen zur Umsetzung auf lokaler Ebene. Inhalt: 1. Concepts and Development of Civil Society: Piotr Glinski: The Civil Society in Poland (21-49); Jan Willem Duyvendak: Learning from Social Movements: Linking Community Development and Civil Society to the State (51-66); Blaz Mesec: Construction or Obstruction: The Strategy in Pre-Transitional Changes in Voluntary Organization in Slovenia (67-88); Leo J. Penta: Islands of Democratic Practice: Organizing for Local and Regional Power in the USA. The Industrial Areas Foundation and its Organizing Network as an Example (89-107); Martina Keilbart: NGOs as Democratic Agents, International NGOs on the Local Level (109-127); Piotr Salustowicz: Civil Society, Solidarity and Community Development (129-148). 2. NGOs, Citizens' Participation and Community Development: Andrzej Niesporek / Kazimiera Wódz: The Role of Social Work and NGOs in the Formation of Civil Society in a Post-Communist Country (151-160); Maria Donevska / Ivica Vasev / Sladjana Srbinoska: Development of Local Communities in Low-Income Areas in the Republic of Macedonia (161-176); Neela Dabir: Civil Society and Social Policy at Local Level: Non-Governmental Organisations and Mutual Aid Groups in Mumbai (177-191); Piotr Matczak: Local Protest as Voice Action. The Similarities in Blocking Power by Local Inhabitants in Central and East European Countries and the West (193-211); Rob Gilsing: Involving Young People: Two Perspectives on Youth Participation in Local Government (213-228); John Harris: 'Better Government for Older People': Citizens' Participation in Social Policy at a Local Level (229-243); Antti Karisto: Social Development on the Local Level: Art and Culture as Means of Empowerment (245-252). 3. Welfare Policy, Local Government and Social Development: Martin B. Tracy: Negotiating the Boundaries of the Welfare State: Changing Perspectives of Social Cohesion (255-276); Ina Conradie: Developmental Social Welfare in South Africa: The Search for Strategic Direction (277-292); Krystina Lesniak-Moczuk: Causes of Informal Economy in Poland in the Nineties (293-303); Lucjan Mis / Katarzyna Ornacka: Local Communities and Social Issues Nowadays (305-316); Wolfgang Berg: Local Government, Social Support and Job Creation (317-330); Martha Markward: Social Development in Social Work Practice: Enhancing Human Rights for Children in the Czech Republic (331-339). 4. Welfare Policy and Social Services at the Local Level: Phylis Lan Lin: Selected Issues on Social Welfare Services Privatization in Taiwan (343-350); Stan Butkus / Teresa Jasnowski Butkus: Implementing System-Wide Change for Persons with Developmental Disabilities in South Carolina: The Person-Centered Planning Process and the Large Organization (351-364); Carten Otte: The Principle of Subsidiarity, Organization of Social Services on the Local Level and Different Value Systems (365-373); Jerzy Krzyszkowski: State and Social Partners' Role in Solving Social Problems. Evaluation Methods of Social Welfare Management at Local Level. The Case of Lódz (375-396); Hans-Jürgen Balz: Qualitiy Guarantee in a Local Model Project Aimed at Helping Youths in their Work-Life (397-412).