Target Group

Public sector and NGO personnel, including policy makers, trainers, and programme managers

Structure

11 Modules have been developed which relate to social development and poverty alleviation. The first 3 Modules, comprising the Core Curriculum, are designed for senior-level policy makers, while the remaining 8 Modules, focusing on poverty alleviation techniques, are targeted at programme/ project managers.

Each Module can stand by itself as a training programme. Together, however, they comprise a complete package of the necessary knowledge, skills and tools required for the successful implementation of poverty alleviation programmes. This Course was designed to be flexible; different Modules can be chosen and packaged together according to the needs of the targeted participants.

Authors

Each Module was developed by selected authors who are experts in the field of social development and poverty alleviation. Many of the authors are from member institutions of the ESCAP Network of Centres of Excellence for HRD Research and Training in Asia and the Pacific.

Funding

The development of the ESCAP HRD Course for Poverty Alleviation has been generously supported by the Government of Japan and the Government of the Netherlands.

Modules

Core Curriculum Modules:

1. Promoting Value-based Social Development
2. Rethinking Development Models
3. Identifying Skills for Social Development

Poverty Alleviation Modules:

1. Poverty and Development
2. Measurement and Trends
3. Responding to Poverty: Policies and Programmes
4. Tools for Participatory Community Empowerment
5. Gender Planning and Analysis
6. Approaches for Income Generation
7. Training of Trainers
8. Project Management

Core Curriculum

Objective

Target Group

Objectives

• To enable participants to contribute to implementing a value-based, people-centered approach to development;
• To promote understanding of the international instruments relevant for social development; and
• To develop in participants an ability to advocate how social development agendas can be implemented at the national and local levels.

Approach/

Content

Development is often described as the act or process of growing, progressing or developing. However, in reality, development is a term whose meaning is readily assumed but which is, in practice, hard to define. Furthermore, development concepts defined at the international arena are often very difficult to translate at the national level. If, however, these development agendas are to make an impact, policy makers must realize their importance, and how they can be implemented.

This Core Curriculum Module aims therefore to explain the concepts and characteristics of social development, and to promote the advancement of women through gender-sensitive social development. Furthermore, this Module discusses the different international social development and human rights instruments, and explains how they are relevant at the national and local levels. Finally, this Module concludes by promoting a multi-level, multi-sectoral and multi-actor approach to social development.

Target Group

Senior policy makers from social and economic sectors

Length

3 days

Author

Prof David Cox, Director of the Regional Social Development Centre, Department of Social Work, La Trobe University, Australia. The Centre was established to further the understanding of social development in the Asia-Pacific region, to engage in research on selected issues, and to contribute to expanding education and training in social development in the region.

ESCAP HRD Section

Objectives

• To provide participants with an overview of macro-economic policy perspectives; and
• To discuss the shift from a conventional development paradigm to one which is based on the value of human development and growth through equity.

Approach/Content

While the dominant economic development models have changed over the decades, one thing has remained constant - their focus on economic growth. As a result, in the majority of countries, inequalities have increased. Thus it has become necessary to rethink the current and past development paradigms.

This Core Curriculum Module thus advocates the need for a more holistic approach to development. It furthermore challenges the dominant development paradigms focused on maximizing economic growth. Participants are challenged to rethink the idea that economic growth is an end in itself. Rather, this Module promotes the idea that economic growth should lead to human development, and that what is needed is growth through equity. In addition, the need for good governance and the role of civil society organizations are discussed, as part of participatory growth and human development.

Central to this Module is the use of case studies to provide participants with concrete examples. In addition, participants will develop action plans based on what they have learned.

Target Group

Senior policy makers from social and economic sectors

Length

3 days

Author

Dr Kamal Malhotra, Co-Director, Focus on the Global South, Thailand. FOCUS is a programme of progressive development policy research and practice, dedicated to regional and global policy analysis, micro-macro linking and advocacy work. FOCUS works with NGOs and people's organizations in Asia-Pacific and other regions.

Objectives

• To equip participants with practical skills relating to community analysis and involvement;
• To outline approaches to negotiation with financial institutions in loan-funded projects;
• To discuss the requirements for managing change;
• To explain to participants the importance of advocacy as a central strategic activity in social development; and
• To promote a view of leadership which is flexible and participatory.

Approach/Content

In order to implement effective and sustainable social development programmes and policies, policy makers and programme managers must develop the necessary skills and tools to perform their functions effectively. These skills and tools are crucial if policies are to be translated into real actions and change.

This Core Curriculum Module therefore provides participants with key practical skills which represent the main elements for effective and participatory programme implementation. Skills reviewed in this Module include those related to community participation, as well as those needed for negotiating with aid agencies. Furthermore, this Module provides crucial information on the specific techniques needed for management of change. Advocacy strategies are also highlighted, so that participants will recognize the need to integrate advocacy in overall strategic concerns. Finally, this Module evaluates the different roles of leadership in relation to the social development context.

Target Group

Senior policy makers from social and economic sectors and programme/project managers

Length

3 days

Author

Prof Joe Mullen, Institute for Development Policy and Management (IDPM), University of Manchester, United Kingdom. The objective of IDPM is to promote social and economic development, particularly in lower-income countries and for disadvantaged groups, by enhancing the capabilities of individuals and organizations through education, training, consultancy, research and policy analysis.

Poverty Alleviation Modules

Objective

Target Group

Objectives

• To explain to participants the concepts of both development and poverty, and their characteristics and relationships;
• To provide participants with an understanding of vulnerable groups in society and how they should be targeted in programmes;
• To promote a positive view of development that shows the relationship between growth and equity; and
• To outline the essential elements for a growth and human development framework, and instill its importance in participants.

Approach/Content

In the Asia-Pacific region, the challenge of poverty reduction remains great.

This Module thus addresses the different definitions, concepts and aspects of both development and poverty, and discusses the link between the two. It also elaborates on the different causes of poverty and its persistence. Integral to this is a discussion of the vulnerable groups in society, their characteristics, and the need for targeting them in poverty alleviation programmes. Furthermore, this Module evaluates the relationship between economic growth and poverty. Lastly, it promotes the view of positive development, and enables participants to examine the relationship between growth and equity and, in particular, growth and human development.

Target Group

Programme/project managers

Length

3 days

Author

Prof K.P. Kannan, Senior Fellow, Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Kerala, India. CDS focuses on advanced research and training in development studies. Research is conducted on regional development studies, national economic development problems, and international economic issues. CDS places an emphasis on social development and has links with many development organizations.

Objectives

• To equip participants with basic knowledge about the main issues related to poverty measurement;
• To explain the different indices and approaches to poverty measurement;
• To sensitize participants to the political dimensions of poverty measurement;
• To outline and analyse the international poverty trends; and
• To discuss the notion of both political and economic capabilities, and their inclusion in poverty measurement.

Approach/Content

Considerable theoretical and analytical advances have been made in understanding and refining the concepts and tools in the measurement of poverty. Such advances have helped to bring out the ethical and philosophical dimensions of the problem of measurement, as normative judgements are hard to avoid.

This Module therefore discusses the main issues related to the measurement of poverty. It outlines measurements that relate to both the entitlement and the capability approaches, In addition, it includes an overview of the Human Poverty Index. Furthermore, this Module analyses the relationship between poverty and human development, and discusses related measurement indices, such as the Human Development Index, and the Gender Development Index. This Module also discusses international poverty trends. Lastly, this Module analyses the role of economic and political capabilities, and promotes the inclusion of political capabilities in measurement attempts.

Target Group

Programme/project managers

Length

3 days

Author

Prof K.P. Kannan, Senior Fellow, Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Kerala, India. CDS focuses on advanced research and training in development studies. Research is conducted on regional development studies, national economic development problems, and international economic issues. CDS places an emphasis on social development and has links with many development organizations.

Objectives

• To analyse the different typologies used in responding to poverty;
• To discuss the various national policies and programmes for poverty alleviation;
• To provide participants with knowledge about decentralization, and its potential to respond to poverty;
• To outline methods of mainstreaming poverty alleviation; and
• To explore the role of the government, NGOs and the private sector in poverty alleviation schemes.

Approach/Content

A wide variety of responses to the situation of poverty are discernable among different developing countries. A common perception underlying these responses is that poverty has to be viewed in a multi-dimensional framework. Responses to situations of poverty therefore range widely.

This Module thus aims to discuss the policies and programmes in responding to situations of poverty. It begins with an explanation of how the various interventions can be viewed in terms of a typology of responses, such as universal or targeted approaches, and macro and micro approaches. This Module then analyses different national level policies and programmes for poverty alleviation. The role of decentralization is discussed in the context of contribution to the improvement of poverty alleviation programmes. Finally, this Module further explores the role and responses of both state and non-state actors. It analyses the relationship between the government and NGOs, and also includes a discussion of the private sector.

Target Group

Programme/project managers

Length

3 days

Author

Prof K.P. Kannan, Senior Fellow, Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Kerala, India. CDS focuses on advanced research and training in development studies. Research is conducted on regional development studies, national economic development problems, and international economic issues. CDS places an emphasis on social development and has links with many development organizations.

Objectives

• To provide participants with the ability to understand and apply strategies for community empowerment within the framework of sustainable area development;
• To enable participants to acquire and upgrade skills in community development planning and implementation;
• To understand the principles of community organizing, and the basic steps involved; and
• To analyse the different aspects of local development cooperation and networking.

Approach/Content

In order to implement successful poverty alleviation programmes, knowledge of the principles of, and steps involved in, community development programmes is essential. Specific skills are required for community empowerment.

This Module therefore provides participants with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for community empowerment strategies and processes. It begins with an overview of sustainable area development strategies and components. Next, this Module reviews the different analytical techniques needed for community empowerment, including development mapping, participatory tools, and planning tools. In addition, community organizing principles, strategies as well as basic steps and skills are discussed. Finally, this Module analyses the process of local development cooperation and networking.

Target Group

Programme/project managers and field managers

Length

3 days

Author

Dr Sheena Crawford. Dr Crawford is a development anthropologist specializing in participatory approaches. She has worked over 16 years in development, mostly in the Middle East and particularly in Yemen. Dr Crawford is currently a professor at the Univeristy of Edinburgh in addition to serving as a consultant to the UK Department for International Development for projects in Asia and Africa. Her revent focus includes development policy, planning and intervention for children in difficult circumsntances, including child labour and trafficking in parts of South and South-East Asia.

Objectives

• To present a theoretical framework which analyses the concept of gender and development and traces the history of development approaches for women;
• To provide participants with analytical skills, methodology and practical tools necessary for effective gender analysis; and
• To equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for integrating the gender perspective into projects and programmes.

Approach/Content

Conventional development approaches have often ignored the role of gender in development, or have concentrated solely on women, rather than on the relationship between men and women in society. Such a gender focus is needed to ensure that poverty alleviation programmes involve, and benefit, all relevant actors in the community .

This Module thus promotes the concepts of gender analysis and planning as an integral part of poverty alleviation programmes. It is divided into three sections. The first section explores gender and development concepts, including the effects of policies on gender relations. Section two discusses the necessary techniques and tools for undertaking application of gender analysis, including frameworks and methodologies. Finally, the third section focuses on developing gender-responsive programmes; it reviews gender planning methodologies and processes, and the development of gender sensitive checklists and indicators. The use of exercises is integral to this Module.

Target Group

Programme/project managers

Length

3 days

Author

The Centre for Women/Children and Community Development (CWCD), Nepal. CWCD is an action-oriented NGO committed to the empowerment of the disadvantaged and oppressed segment of Nepalese society, especially women and children. Its many programmes include income-generation activities, leadership and management training, as well as efforts to combat prostitution and trafficking.

Objectives

• To provide participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to implement microfinance programmes;
• To outline the expected impacts of microfinance programmes on poverty alleviation;
• To discuss the role of entrepreneurship in poverty alleviation; and
• To guide trainers in providing the skills and knowledge necessary for entrepreneurship development.

Approach/Content

In an environment where aid grants are decreasing, formulating and implementing entrepreneurship and microfinance programmes are an important contribution to poverty alleviation. Both programmes require a basic set of concepts and tools in order to be successfully implemented.

This Module thus provides participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to initiate, design and implement entrepreneurship and microfinance programmes for the poor. The introductory session analyses the need for these programmes, as well as common obstacles faced. The Module also discusses the expected impact on the target groups. The next session reviews the organizational structure of different microfinance organizations as well as the different components of a successful microenterprise. Furthermore, this Module addresses the need for institutional innovations in model microfinance organizations and the importance of business tools to the successful entrepreneur. Finally, this Module considers the role of trainers in empowering the poor to become entrepreneurs. Integral to this Module is the use of case studies.

Target Group

Programme/project managers

Length

3 days

Author

International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (ICECD), India. The primary focus of ICECD is to achieve economic empowerment of women and youth by leading them toward income-generation, self-employment, and entrepreneurship, thus offering solutions to the problems of unemployment and gender inequality.

ESCAP HRD Section

• To equip participants with the necessary tools to become effective trainers;
• To outline the basic principles of adult learning;
• To provide participants with the basic concepts and principles in the planning and design of training events; and
• To analyse the tools and techniques for effective delivery of training programmes.

Approach/Content

For a poverty alleviation programme to be effective, it must reach as wide an audience as possible. The best way to ensure that knowledge and skills are disseminated as widely as possible is through training of trainers, whereby those participating are then equipped to train others.

This Module thus provides participants with a complete package of the tools and techniques needed to conduct a training of trainers workshop. It begins with an overview of the concepts of adult learning and group formation. Next, it discusses effective communication and presentation skills. Focus is also placed on the art of facilitation. Furthermore, this Module reviews the necessary techniques for conducting a training needs assessment, which is crucial to the success of a training programme. Basic principles, tools and techniques of training programme design and implementation are outlined, including objective setting and logistical planning, as well as developing training content. Lastly, a session is provided on the use of various training aids, their strengths and their weaknesses.

Target Group

Programme/project managers

Length

3 days

Author

National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), Pakistan. NRSP strives to reduce the intensity of poverty and improve rural people’s quality of life. This is achieved through the fostering of a countrywide network of community organizations at the grass-roots level, and enabling them to plan, manage and implement their development plans on their own.

Objectives

• To familiarize participants with the project management cycle;
• To equip participants with the key project planning and implementation concepts, tools and techniques;
• To enable participants to understand the importance of monitoring and evaluation, and how to put these principles into practice; and
• To provide participants with the skills needed for project proposal writing.

Approach/Content

In order to implement effective poverty alleviation programmes, managers must be equipped with the proper analytical framework and skills to implement programmes that are needs-responsive, participatory, effective and sustainable.

This Module therefore provides participants with in-depth knowledge about the different aspects of the project management cycle. Taken as a whole, this Module contains the necessary information and tools for project/programme managers to implement successful poverty alleviation programmes. It begins with an overview of project management definitions, concepts, and stages. It then analyses the different tools necessary for project planning, such as community needs assessment and logical framework analysis. This Module then discusses implementation strategies, problems and issues. Tools related to resource allocation and setting of objectives are outlined. In addition, this Module discusses the concepts of, and tools used for, monitoring and evaluation. Lastly, this Module explores the concept of resource mobilization, and illustrates how to write a project proposal.

Target Group

Programme/project managers

Length

3 days

Author

ESCAP HRD Section