Recently I finished a great book on Development that outlined a lot of the concepts I think are important to doing effective development work. The book is called "Walking with the Poor" by Bryant Myers. Mr. Myers is a long time development worker for World Vision International.

Some of the concepts that he brought up in the book are very important to consider when undertaking development. The first important topic discussed was a very basic one. In the development field it seems that a big issues is what adjective to development. Different adjectives seem to be important to help define what we mean by development. For example some examples of popular adjectives include sustainable, compassionate, broad-based, stewardly, Christian, people centered, economic-growth centered etc. The author chooses the adjective transformational to describe his approach.

His choice is a compelling one based on the following reasons. Transformational development as Myers describes has the twin goals of "changed people who have discovered their true identity and vocation, and changed relationship that are just and peaceful. These goals are sought with a process of change that is principle-centered. The development process belongs to the people: relationships are the critical factor for change: we need to keep the end of transformation in mind: we promote truth-telling, righteousness, and justice: and we are careful to do no harm. These principles are expressed through persons or groups of person working in the community. God, the church, the holistic development practitioner and the Evil One. Three of these are working in favor of a better human future, while the mission of the fourth is to distract, divide, and destroy. Finally, these transformational development principles and positive active agents seek to move a community toward the goals of transformation in a way that is sustainable physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. (Myers, 116)

This definition incorporates many of the ideas that the above mentioned adjectives were getting at. But it really stresses the change that will take place in the people and the relationships in the community. These are very important emphases, I think.

The CRWRC, another development organization we are interested in have some great resources on the best way to development as well. You can open their Best Practices page to investigate some of their ideas and approaches.

Myers, Bryant. Walking with the Poor. Orbis Books: 1999.