News, Blogs and Events

The Workshop 2017

Praxis - Institute for Participatory Practices is scheduled to hold the 20th edition of its international commune on participatory development from 1-8 March 2017 at USI, New Delhi.

The Praxis annual commune is a residential event that brings together development workers, policy makers and proactive individuals from across the world to share information and experiences as well as keep themselves abreast of the latest in the field of participatory development. It provides a theoretical understanding of participatory approaches/tools as well as the opportunity to apply them in the field and network with like-minded individuals. For more information email info@theworkshop.in or go to The Workshop 2017.

Picturing inclusive CLTS Photo Competition

The Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) Hub has launched its 2017 Photo competition! Much recent research has shown that more efforts are needed to make sanitation and the gains and improvements we have already seen, sustainable and inclusive. So CLTS are looking for photographs that show examples of inclusive CLTS, highlight good practice, depict innovative programming and emphasize the need to ‘reach the one in everyone’.

The winning entries will be published in a special feature on the CLTS website. Both winning and non-winning photos will be used in publications such as the Frontiers of CLTS series and/or Learning Briefs/Learning Papers, as well as on the website, with full credit to the photographer.

The top three entries will receive a hardcopy of Sustainable Sanitation for All: Challenges, Experiences and Innovations

New IDS Bulletin examines links between power, poverty and inequality

This new IDS Bulletin ‘Power, Poverty and Inequality’ edited by Marjoke Oosterom and Patta Scott-Villiers, brings together the latest analysis on understanding power and inequality and their links to poverty.

Ten years ago, IDS published an inaugural IDS Bulletin on power and change. This collection of articles were influential in developing ways to analyse socio-political situations using a power lens which helped people and organisations working in development improve effective policy and action. In particular, the issue clarified the use of the powercube, a tool for investigating the different faces of power (visible, hidden and invisible power), its levels (local, national, global) and spaces of operation (closed, invited and claimed).

Sustainable Sanitation for All

Edited by Petra Bongartz, Naomi Vernon and John FoxImage of book cover

Just published, this book describes the landscape of sustainability of CLTS and sanitation with reference to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and through examples from Africa and Asia.  It captures a range of experiences and innovations from a broad range of institutions and actors within the WASH sector, and makes recommendations and practical suggestions for policy and practice for practitioners, funders, policymakers and governments.  It is published by Practical Action and is fully available for download.

Using Participatory Action Research to Improve Development Practice

image of participants at last year's course23 – 27 January 2017, Institute Development Studies, UK

This is one of the most inspiring, mind-opening courses I have been in!'
(2016 Participant)

Running for the second year, this five day short course is designed to develop participants' understanding and skills in the theory and practice of a range of PAR methods.  It will also provide the conceptual and practical tools needed for participants to design PAR in their own organisation and with their partners. Details are on our IDS website, or contact Richard Douglass for further information. The closing date is 16th September and places are limited to 20, so book yours soon!

States, Markets and Society - IDS 50th Conference

5 July - 6 July 2016, IDS, University of Sussex, UK

Join us at IDS for a high profile, two day conference in July that will bring cutting-edge thinking, experience and reflection on ‘States, markets and society in a reconfigured world: Defining a new era for development’.

As the Institute turns 50 and development moves into a new era, we invite leading scholars, policymakers and practitioners to join us for a serious intellectual debate about the challenges and implications of development in the future.

Speakers include:

Project management and MEL courses at Bond

Bond is running two training weeks in June.  The first is dedicated to project management (13-16 June) and includes Project Design, Project Budgeting and Managing the Project Cycle.  The second focuses on monitoring, evaluation and learning (20-24 June) and includes an Introduction to MEL, Planning and Practice in MEL, and Participation: principles, tools and approaches. More information is available on the Bond website, or email Jemma Ashman jashman@bond.org.uk

Citizen-Led Innovation for a New Economy

Image of book coverBased on collaborative research by the authors John Gaventa and Alison Mathie, this collection of eleven cases from Canada and the United States gives expression to the ideal of a new economy based on fairness and environmental sustainability. It shows how organised citizens are grappling with complex problems in their local communities and forging innovation, prying open cracks in the prevailing economic system and seizing opportunities to redirect economic life.  Published by Practical Action Publishing at £17.95

Love Matters Music Awards 2015!

In November 2015, IDS together with Love Matters launched the first Love Matters Music Award. This award will provide young people in Kenya the chance to produce songs on themes related to pleasure, sexual responsibility and relationships. Participants will be coached by International visual artists and music producers and will have a chance to perform live to an invited audience.  There will be an Award for the winner from a panel of judges, and a People's Choice Award from on-line votes.  Listen to the songs and add your vote via the Love Matters website!

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