Community work, love and the indigenous worldview ofbuen vivirin Peru

The Latin American indigenous knowledge paradigm ofbuen vivir('living well') encapsulates an equilibrium of rights of people and nature, with a 'solidarity economy' emphasising equities, equality and freedoms, social justice and ecological justice. In participatory research in Peru, community workers developed a love-based framework of practice that reflects features ofbuen vivir. Participants suggest love is values-based feeling and action aiming for a world of peace, happiness and prosperity by transforming social conditions for a system of equality through participatory and democratic processes. The findings enhance developmental social work andbuen vivirliterature with a localised, relationship-oriented practice approach.