Creative Capacity Development: Learning to Adapt in Development Practice

by Jenny Pearson

Overview

The development community seems constantly and restlessly in search of a singular approach that will “solve” poverty, unveiling new buzzwords every few years only to toss them aside. Author Jenny Pearson argues that the fundamental flaw with this system is that each new approach fails to break out of the underlying technocratic and specialized paradigm in development work. As Director of Cambodia’s leading capacity-building NGO, VBNK, Pearson explains how creative risks and an innovative spirit can revive development work, especially in post-conflict settings.

Creative Capacity Development provides an unflinching appraisal of the author’s own assumptions and setbacks as she established VBNK and explains how a dynamic and open learning process allowed the organization to move beyond them. Pearson’s account, drawn with insights from cultural studies, mental health practice, and the arts, will guide other practitioners in broadening their own understanding of capacity-building. The book reveals that development work, far from requiring a singular solution, is and should be a never-ending process.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781565493292
Publisher:	Kumarian Press, Inc.
Publication date:	05/28/2011
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Jenny Pearson has been living and working in Cambodia for more than a decade. She got Cambodian citizenship in 2007. In 1997, with support of the seven INGOs, she founded a capacity building NGO, which known as VBNK, and she has been its Director ever since.

Table of Contents

Illustrations Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Acronyms

Introduction
VBNK A Sense of Purpose Overview of the Chapters

1. Culture and Context
A Note About Cambodian History On Being a Cambodian Trainer Beliefs and Behaviors Complex Trauma and Its Implications for Capacity Development Conclusions

2. Serving a Sector
International NGOs Cambodian NGOs Royal Government of Cambodia Donors Regional Work Private Sector Keeping Pace With the Sector: An Evolving Mission

3. A Learning Journey
First Steps Pivotal Learning Developing a Learning Practice in VBNK Getting Strategic About Staff Development and Learning A Story to Tell

4. Creativity and New Dimensions of Response
David Glass Creative Facilitators Early Innovations Creative Innovations for Learning and Change Magic or Monster?

5. Organizational Nuts and Bolts
Funding and Fees Growth, Change and Competing Agendas Teamwork Localization

Learning From the Long Haul: Some Conclusions
The Essential Starting Point for Effective Capacity Development Is Culture, Culture, Culture!
The Psychosocial Legacy of Complex Trauma Creates Significant Challenges for Effective Capacity Development Capacity Development Is a Discipline in Its Own Right, and It Is Values Based Learning Is a Skill That Needs to Be Learned and Practiced Individual and Organizational Learning Are Inextricably Linked Creativity Builds Safe Space for Change and Has Proven Benefits Creativity and Learning Support Relevance and Sustainability Some Simple Ideas That Anyone Can Try

Appendix: Post Trauma Stress Disorder and Its Relevance in Postconflict Societies
References Index About the Author