Joseph, Sam

This study is part of a global research effort entitled Consultations with the Poor, designed to inform the World Development Report 2000/1 on Poverty and Development. The research has used participatory methods to involve and give a voice to poor people in twenty-three countries around the world. This report is from Somaliland, from sites selected to give a rural/urban balance. The study focuses on four main topics, each with a set of key themes, as follows: Exploring well-being À How do people define their quality of life, their ill-being or well-being? How have these changed over time?

This short paper argues for decision-making on local issues in community-managed programmes to be left to local collective processes. The paper also argues that for development workers to support such programmes implies long-term committment and the adoption of management styles that coach and facilitate rather than supervise and dictate.