Greenwood, Laura

This report, produced by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), is the first title in the Policy and Planning Processes series, and is the result of an internal learning exercise within IIED on participatory approaches to research and development. The report details the steps that IIED took to carry out the internal review and it illustrates the complexity of 'practising what we preach'.

This review of the recent Francophone Exchange for participatory development summarises the main issues raised by the participants. These include discussions of current practice in participatory development in Francophone West Africa, mechanisms for exchange between practitioners, and strategies for the future of participatory development in Francophone Africa. The mission statement 'La Declaration de Dakar', which was a key output from the meeting, is also presented.