Resources

The paper is divided into three sections: I) origins of PRA - its advantages and disadvantages; II) the potential applications of PRA in family planning, health and nutrition. This is discussed with specific reference to India and three stages of PRA development are envisaged i) techniques which are simple enough to be applied on a routine basis with local health workers acting as facilitators (verbal feedback on healthcare performance, recording of seasonal trends, village mapping and verbal autopsies). ii) techniques in category i) which work well might then be applied on a continuous basis to monitor and manage service performance iii) PRA is then used in a more formal way to facilitate research and development. III) suggestions are made on how PRA might be institutionalised, again using the Indian example. NGOs are considered to be vital to institutionalize the PRA process. The speed at which governments are able to absorb PRA techniques will be determined by the rate at which suitable NGO support for the process can be made available.

The seminar report highlights the major themes that emerged from the presentations and discussions and outlines key principles that need to guide recommendations for service delivery. The report concludes by offering general recommendations to NGOs at national, regional and international levels.

Compas (Comparing and Supporting Endogenous Development) is an international programme whose aim is to understand and encourage the diversity of rural people's knowledge and expand inter-cultural dialogues on farmer's knowledge and indigenous learning. The March 2001 issue of Compas Magazine focuses on indigenous traditional knowledge and the challenges these traditions face in the modern world. It includes articles on perceptions of traditions, positive and negative aspects of tradition, Mayan concepts of health, participatory rapid assessment of local Indian health traditions, and eco-cultural villages in Zimbabwe. (full text of this is available on their website)

HIV, AIDS, sexual health, health, communication, training manuals, organizations, networking AB: This is a practical toolkit for organizations and trainers who support NGOs and community groups responding to HIV/AIDS in developing countries. It can be used flexibly, with one or more NGOs, and as part of technical support visits or training workshops. This is a resource that can help NGOs and community groups to strengthen their work by building strategic partnerships with people and organizations from other sectors, such as government, business, and the media. Facilitators can work through the toolkit with an individual NGO or a group of NGOs. It can be used to make a plan for building partnerships, to build specific. skills, and/or to share experiences. The toolkit is divided into four sections: what is building partnerships, developing a partnerships plan, building effective partnerships, monitoring and sharing lessons about partnerships. It also includes work cards on building partnerships with specific kinds of organisations (government, donors, religious organisations, businesses, NGOs and media).

In this personal article, the author reflects on the necessity to address HIV in all development programs and recognize the gender and other systemic inequalities on which it thrives. Looking at issues from access to treatment under the WHO 3x5 initiative to the plagiarism of ideas and practices from community based projects by international NGOs, the article provides insight about the challenges ahead for combating the HIV epidemic. The author concludes by suggesting ways that readers of PLA Notes could take action, such as by familiarizing themselves with routes of infection and considering the realistic implications for themselves, friends and family. The author argues that unless we remove the morality debate from the issue of HIV, and recognize that it is poverty, global power imbalances, and gender issues which fuel the pandemic, HIV will continue to thrive and people will continue to die. The author also suggests that readers promote solidarity with HIV positive people within their own communities and join advocacy networks to lobby for free and equitable access to antiretroviral drugs. In conclusion the author suggests that if we all work together, we can make a difference.