The prime purpose of Oxfam and similar development agencies is to assist poor men and women in changing their situation and exercising their right to participate in the development of their societies. However, aid agencies that ignore peoples existing strengths may create dependency, and so make people more vulnerable than before. This book examines the concept of capacity-building and why it is such an integral part of development. It considers specific and practical ways in which NGOs can contribute to enabling people to build on the capacities they already possess, while avoiding...

Experienced practitioners and academics provide an insightful look into the limitations of NGOs in claiming to represent and assist 'civil society'. Changes in approaches to development are situated within changes in global political economy. Relations between donors, states and NGOs are also considered in specific contexts. The volume outlines many of the tensions NGOs face in claiming to speak for the poor while also remaining accountable to national and international actors. Together the authors provide an excellent overview of these important issues.

Agricultural development research aims to generate new knowledge or to retrieve and apply existing forms of knowledge in ways that can be used to improve the welfare of people who are living in poverty or are otherwise excluded, for instance by gender-based discrimination. Its effective application therefore requires ongoing dialogue with and the strong engagement of men and women from poor marginal farming communities. This book discusses opportunities afforded by effective knowledge pathways linking researchers and farmers, underpinned by participatory research and gender analysis. It sets...