Participation
Participation in Poverty Reduction Strategies: a synthesis of experience with participatory approaches to policy design, implementation and monitoring
Exploring participation in Poverty Reduction Strategies: synthesis and analysis
Authors:
R. Mcgee; A. Norton
Publisher:
Participation Group, IDS, 2000
The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently endorsed the preparation and implementation of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) by borrower countries seeking to benefit from the enhanced HIPC (Highly Indebted Poor Countries) initiative. Civil society participation in the adoption and monitoring of the PRS is viewed as essential for their sustainability and effectiveness.
The purpose of this working paper, from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), is to review the experience to date in applying participatory approaches to macro-level policy formulation, implementation and monitoring, with a view to supporting country-led facilitation of inclusive and high-quality participation in the PRS process. The participatory experiences reviewed are drawn from research initiatives, donors' country strategies, aid co-ordination processes, policy advocacy campaigns, institutional change processes, budgetary analysis and formulation, and citizens' monitoring mechanisms. Sections are organised around key themes, which crystallised in the course of reviewing these experiences.
More specifically, this article outlines the significant challenges which must be overcome in the course of establishing participatory, sustainable, country-owned poverty reduction strategies and testifies to the existence of many competent participation advocates and practitioners, and to a considerable wealth and depth of experience, on which governments can draw to overcome these challenges. It also highlights the need for a learning approach, and for State and donor agencies and many civil society organisations themselves to promote internal institutional changes, as the PRS process unfolds. [Adapted from author]
