Resources

This journal article presents a case study of the Social Forestry Support Programme in Vietnam, in which Participatory Curriculum Development (PCD) plays a fundamental part. Beginning with stakeholder identification and analysis, PCD provides an overall framework for educational development. Recognising constraints associated with the process, the paper describes strategies aimed at capacity building, management of stakeholder involvement and planning and evaluation. As different stakeholders learn to learn together through discourse and interaction, the chances of sustainable outcomes from the PCD process should be improved. The dynamic and flexible nature of PCD suggests that there is considerable potential for its adaptation and application in a range of different contexts.

This paper outlines the concept and experiences of Participatory Curriculum Development. It offers an introduction to the subject using case examples from the Social Forestry Support Programme (SFSP) in Vietnam and explains what is meant by participatory curriculum development. It addresses the following points:
À Bringing about change in forestry education through curriculum development
À The PCD process in SFSP
À Encouraging a collaborative approach
À Improving the delivery of the curriculum through teaching and learning methods
À Developing learning materials
À Monitoring and evaluation for PCD
À Lessons learned from using PCD

This bibliography was prepared for the Development Research Centre (DRC) on Citizenship, Participation and Accountability, a research network co-ordinated in the UK by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS). This DRC aims to include the voices of citizens into the debates around citizenship and contribute to the understanding of citizenship: the realities, challenges, and opportunities it poses for different people and the utilization of citizensÆ knowledge to develop strategies for change. The range of contemporary thinking around citizenship is reviewed in an essay included in the booklet. This provides a theoretical frame of reference for empirical work on the relationship between citizenship, participation and accountability. Also included is a section of references of recent texts that have been selected by the authors relating to citizenship, participation and accountability. Each one has a brief description.

This paper explores how PRA has been used by Action Aid The Gambia (AATG) and seeks to establish the effect this has had in the areas where it has worked.

The first part traces the development of the activities, structures and procedures of AATG during the period prior to the introduction of PRA. This is followed by a description of the way PRA has been absorbed and utilised in the subsequent evolution of the NGO. It goes on to investigate the impact of the new approach on poverty, gender relations, and the capacity of local organisations. In conclusion an attempt is made to assess and account for the overall contribution made by PRA and to see how it might be employed differently in the future.

This study aims to provide some insight into the work of traditional healers in Cambodia, focussing on HIV/AIDS/STIs and related conditions in the context of their wider role. The study was conducted over two months in Phnom Penh and Battambang. It provides an overview of who traditional healers are, the services they provide, how traditional healers and others perceive their role in HIV/AIDS prevention and care, and existing links and associations between traditional healers and others. The main findings of the study are as follows:
" Traditional healers are a very diverse group without a single identity.
" They were reported to treat almost all illnesses, with some healers specialising in treating people with HIV.
" AIDS, STIs and TB are treated with traditional medicine, with magic and ritual sometimes a component of this.
" Clients of the healers are perceived to be poor or of medium needs.
" Many people with HIV who are using traditional medicine reported substantial improvements in their health, though the side-effects and unknown toxicities are of serious concern of health workers.
" Many biomedical practitioners and health workers stated that they do not believe that traditional medicine is effective.

In 1999, in response to a number of critical pressures, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) re-introduced poverty reduction as a major element of policy making, and Poverty Reduction Strategies were born. Since that time ActionAid offices have actively embraced the potential of these new spaces and processes for interaction in policy making - processes which had previously been closed This brief is drawn from a seven country review of ActionAid's engagement with World Bank/IMF policies, with particular focus on Poverty Reduction Strategies. The review itself analyses the extent to which AA was able to facilitate the participation and involvement of marginalized and vulnerable groups in the PRS debate, the impact this engagement has had on social, economic and political rights, pro-poor policy-making and budgetary allocation with the seven selected countries. This brief summerises the four major findings and eight recommendations and then goes on to ask what has changed in the content of PRSs. It also asks has the paradigm of the Washington consensus lifted, and goes on to summerise the experience of participation and process, key elements of PRSs but requiring immense effort by civil society organisations and other actors. Finally the brief looks at the question of country ownership of these processes.

This annotated bibliography reviews a broad selection of literature on the subject of citizen participation and local governance, including theoretical debates and case studies, and suggests approaches for both policy makers and practitioners. It is divided into four sections, preceded by an introductory overview. The first section includes resources on current theoretical concepts and debates on 'citizenship' and 'participation' especially in the context of decentralisation. The second section brings together reports, articles, workshop write-ups, manuals and academic research on the different strategies and mechanisms that citizens are using around the world in order to forge new links with the state and participate in local governance. The third section reviews literature on the responsiveness of local government to citizen demands and participation. Here such state-led initiatives as participatory budgeting, and deliberative forums are analysed. Section Four addresses the question of which conditions are necessary to promote meaningful space for democratic social change at the local level, and which are more likely to re-enforce patterns of political and social inequality. The literature is drawn from experiences across the globe but features especially India, the Philippines, Mexico, UK, USA, Brazil and Bolivia.