Sub-regional training workshop on participatory development methods

Abstract

The concept of participatory development has an established history with grassroots community groups. The tenet of participation is to assist beneficiaries undertake their own self-help initiatives, which is viewed as a viable instrument for sustainable human development. The conference adopted the African charter for popular participation in development which formed the main thrust of operationalizing the key concepts of participatory development in the African context. Following this conference, UN-ECA initiated a series of activities to follow up and translate the charter's recommendations into practical activities, particularly at the national level. Its focus has been enhancing the role of African grassroots groups and NGOs to broaden the dissemination of successful participatory experiences through-out Africa and thereof create a multiplier effect and sensitize policy makers on participatory development. The theme of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of development organizations to enhance and promote participatory development in the SADC sub region.