Resources

Esta edici¾n de En Acci¾n de la organizaci¾n Vecinos Mundiales se concentra en los efectos del huracßn Mitch en 1998 y los 10 years' de lluvia que baj¾ en cinco dÝas trajo la devastaci¾n ambiental y agrÝcola a AmÚrica Central. Los Vecinos Mundiales habÝan trabajado por muchos a±os en la promoci¾n de la conservaci¾n del suelo y del agua; el huracßn proporcion¾ una oportunidad para estudiar la eficacia de este trabajo en combatir los efectos desastrosos de un clima potencialmente destructivo y este boletÝn de noticias da a detalles su trabajo. DecidÝan realizar Investigaci¾n Acci¾n Participativa (IAP), un nivel del estudio que permita no solamente la implicaci¾n de Úsos lo mßs afectados por el clima - la gente local û pero tambiÚn otros participantes que ampliaron su propio conocimiento de los mÚtodos y los resultados de la investigaci¾n. El sistema usado era un apareamiento de lo parcelas de tierras con caracterÝsticas similares tales como sitio y vegetaci¾n, pero que proporcionaron el comparte de datos con una comparaci¾n directa de la cultivaci¾n agro-ecol¾gica y lo convencional. Se invit¾ a otras organizaciones de participar en el estudio y formar equipos con los granjeros, y todos los participantes atendieron a un taller para aprender las metodologÝas. Los mÚtodos usados para analizar diversas variables tales como vertiente, grueso del suelo superior, textura, materia orgßnica, insectos y animales, vegetaci¾n, erosi¾n, derrumbamientos de tierra, y prßcticas de la conservaci¾n son detallados junto con los resultados y las lecciones aprendidos.

This research paper looks at participation and organisational change in Kenya. The paper discusses this broad subject of participation and organisational change and explores the political dynamics of institutionalising participation in complex development programmes. It looks at common assumptions about organisations and how these assumptions affect perception and engagement in the process of institutionalising participation. In this respect it draws on the theme of organisations as machines and organisations as political systems, and shows how the image we begin with frames our thinking and the manner in which we engage in this process.

The main argument of the paper is that for effective institutionalisation of participation organisations need to be viewed as political systems where different interests are represented, conflicts occur and that actors use space provided by the organisations to strategically promote or inhibit the process of institutionalising participation. The study analyses the political dynamics in a Dutch funded programme implemented through the Government of Kenya.

Chapters 1 and 2 provide the background and theoretical grounding of participation and organisational change. Chapter 3 provides a background to Arid and Semi Arid Lands and policies thereof. Chapter 4 presents a step by step case study of a bilateral programme. Chapter 5 presents some findings from the field and offers suggestions toward institutionalising participation as a political process beyond projects and programmatic phases.

The Ad Hoc Working Group set up following the adoption of the DAC (Development Co-operation Directorate of OECD) Orientations on Participatory Development and Good Governance at the December 1993 DAC High Level Meeting (HLM) has completed its three-year mandate. Part I (i.e. the present part) of this report sets out the main results of this work as agreed by DAC Members in the framework of the Ad Hoc Working Group. This includes an agreed policy note, endorsed by the HLM of 1996, on in country co-ordination and a related guidance note on possible first steps for donors. It looks at the conclusions and action-oriented outcomes; the major points emerging from topic discussions; promoting in-country dialogue and coordination; and linkages to other development objectives and the DAC strategy for shaping the 21st century. It also contains three annexes with: Mandate and scope of work of the DAC Ad Hoc working group on PD/GG; Policy note on strengthening country level coordination for participatory development and good governance; and Proposed guidance for introducing in-country coordination on participatory development and good governance issues. Part II, Lessons from Experience in Selected Areas of Support for Participatory Development and Good Governance, contains summaries of the discussions on the main themes taken up over the last three years in formal meetings and in a series of informal seminars organised jointly by Members and the OECD Development Centre. Additionally, a separate publication Evaluation of Programs Promoting Participatory Development and Good Governance resulting from surveys of evaluation results and lessons learned in a number of relevant PD/GG ôsectorsö.

This paper draws on experience from Uganda. Uganda is committed to decentralisation. This commitment is transforming the way services are planned and financed, and new associations between local government, NGOs and private sector agencies are being created. Much attention has been focussed on the adoption of various techniques - such as participatory rural appraisal - through which direct and intensive forms of participation can be encouraged in decentralised planning. This trend is critically examined and potential unintended consequences are highlighted. A broader concept of accountability is outlined to illustrate a more inclusive approach to planning and allocation for more equity and sustainability in rural services.

This book is a collection of selected papers by Anil C. Shah. The book spans the worlds of Government and civil society over a lengthy career working with the poor and marginalised.

It covers a wide range of activities based on direct personal experience and innovation in the field. It contains a mixture of short personal articles and longer, broader and more detailed articles.

The work is presented from a variety of contexts ranging from government administration to NGO's, from community development to joint forest management, from watershed development to participatory irrigation management, and from behaviour, attitudes and training to influencing and changing policy.