Policy issues on internalising and diffusing the PRA approach: the case of Ethiopia

In this paper, the author describes his involvement since 1993 in the spread of PRA in Ethiopia, focusing on the work of Save the Children Fund. Despite his general belief in the usefulness and effectiveness of the methodology, the author also expresses some doubts: the difficulty of tackling behaviour and attitudes training when time is short; the lack of clearly defined bottom lines for good practice; and the danger that rapid spread could discredit the approach if quality issues are not tackled rigorously. Finally, the article recommends that for PRA to survive and thrive it must be introduced into mainstream education and training establishments. Influencing top decision-makers may create the space to work with PRA, but it is argued that high quality training over time can only be sustained if the approach enters the formal education arenas.