The More Things Change, the More they Stay the Same?

Abstract

In this article, reflecting on the history of the Community Development Resource Association's (CDRA) approach to 'capacity development', the author suggests that in 15 years, very little has changed in the theory and practice of capacity and capacity development. It begins with a short introduction to the historical context out of which CDRA works. A detailed summary from a 1995 article on 'capacity building' is shared with a view to illustrating its relevance to the present. The article goes on to suggest that thinking and engaging with the notion of capacity is itself a reflection of CDRA's organisational capacity. Through another extract, CDRA's approach to capacity development is shared. In conclusion, it is suggested that it is purposeful and thoughtful engagement with one's circumstances that is both a reflection, and generator, of capacity.

La participación como enfoque integral de aprendizaje para una práctica crítica en la gestión de proyectos y procesos de cooperación al desarrollo. El caso de un Máster en la Universitat Politècnica de València

“…Distintos autores han trabajado sobre la base de una perspectiva parecida, y han afirmado que existen distintos métodos y aproximaciones pedagógicas para desarrollar este tipo de capacidades (ver ejemplos específicos en Fisher, 2010;Jackson, 2010;Ortiz Aragon, 2010, Pearson, 2010Pettit, 2010;Soal, 2010), que van desde el aprendizaje experiencial a métodos creativos que apelan a las emociones y el uso del cuerpo. Entre estos, varios autores ponen en el centro la importancia de los métodos y enfoques participativos de apredizaje (Pettit, 2010).…”

Rethinking Capacity Development for Critical Development Practice. Inquiry Into a Postgraduate Programme

“…Finally, according to our model, this endogenous process can be promoted and supported through very diverse pedagogical methods and approaches. Various authors have provided specific examples (Fisher, ; Jackson, ; Ortiz Aragon, ; Pearson, ; Pettit, ; Soal, ), ranging from learning through personal experience to ‘creative’ methods that appeal to the emotions and the use of the body. In general, the processes of capacity development considered in these examples occur in contexts that are very different from those of university teaching, although they can be relevant for approaching higher education methods and learning processes, beyond traditional approaches to university education.…”

Una nueva mirada a la competencia transversal de trabajo en equipo desde los enfoques de participación y cuidados: El caso del Máster en Cooperación al Desarrollo por la UPV

“…Distintos autores del ámbito del desarrollo han apuntado que existen numerosos métodos y aproximaciones pedagógicas para desarrollar capacidades que vayan más allá del gerencialismo en la práctica del desarrollo (ver ejemplos específicos en Ortiz Aragon, 2010;Pearson, 2010;Pettit, 2010;Soal, 2010), y que van desde el aprendizaje experiencial a métodos creativos que apelan a las emociones y el uso del cuerpo.…”