Difference between revisions of "The Capacity Building Concept"
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Capacity building is a central concept in [[Agenda 21]] and in other [[United Nation Conference on Environmental and Development]](UNCED) agreements. | Capacity building is a central concept in [[Agenda 21]] and in other [[United Nation Conference on Environmental and Development]](UNCED) agreements. | ||
| − | Recent events such as the WSSD and the Second GEF Assembly reaffirmed the priority of building the capacity of developing countries. | + | Recent events such as the World Summit in Sustainable Development (WSSD) and the Second GEF Assembly reaffirmed the priority of building the capacity of developing countries. WSSD recommended that GEF resources be used to provide financial resources to developing countries to meet their capacity needs for training, technical know how and strengthening national institutions. |
Capacity Building is, however, not limited to international aid work. More recently, capacity building is being used by government to transform community and industry approaches to social and environmental problems. | Capacity Building is, however, not limited to international aid work. More recently, capacity building is being used by government to transform community and industry approaches to social and environmental problems. | ||
Revision as of 16:27, 23 May 2007
"Capacity Building is much more than training and education"
The issue of capacity building has become a major priority within the global conventions, the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and the international communities.
Capacity building is a central concept in Agenda 21 and in other United Nation Conference on Environmental and Development(UNCED) agreements.
Recent events such as the World Summit in Sustainable Development (WSSD) and the Second GEF Assembly reaffirmed the priority of building the capacity of developing countries. WSSD recommended that GEF resources be used to provide financial resources to developing countries to meet their capacity needs for training, technical know how and strengthening national institutions.
Capacity Building is, however, not limited to international aid work. More recently, capacity building is being used by government to transform community and industry approaches to social and environmental problems.
Definitions of Capacity Building
Evolution of the concept of Capacity Building [1]:
Over the past five years, a broad common conceptual framework has emerged. This approach is increasingly being adopted by the development cooperation community. It involves a system perspective that addresses various levels of environmental management capacities (i.e. capacities of institutions, individuals, overall countries and regions). This approach puts greater emphasis on the capacity development process itself, on local ownership of its process and on equal partnership in its support [2].
Capacity building involves human resource development, the development of organizations and promoting the emergence of an overall policy environment conductive to the generation of appropriate responses to emerging needs [3]
The concept of Capacity Building includes the following:
- Human resource development, the process of equipping individuals with the understanding, skills and access to information, knowledge and training that enables them to perform effectively.
- Organizational development, the elaboration of management structures, processes and procedures, not only within organizations but also the management of relationships between the different organizations and sectors (public, private and community).
- Institutional and legal framework development, making legal and regulatory changes to enable organizations, institutions and agencies at all levels and in all sectors to enhance their capacities (citation: Urban Capacity Building Network).
Levels of Capacity Building
- Individual: refers to the process of changing actittudes and behaviours-imparting knowledge and developing skills while maximizing the benefits of participation, knowledge exchange and ownership.
- Institutional: focuses on the overall organizational performance and functioning capabilities, as well as the ability of an organization to adapt to change.
- Systemic: emphasizes the overall policy framework in which individuals and organizations operate and interact with the external environment.
New philosophy of Capacity Building for post-modern societies
- Institutional development
- Science/Technology development
- Mature democratic systems
- Capacity Building target groups (Government, Market sectors and Institutions)
References
- ↑ Vallejo, S.M., 2006, Are we meeting the challenges for capacity building for managing ocean and coasts?, Balboa, Panama, November 13-14, 2006
- ↑ Lafontaine, A., Assessment of Capacity Development Efforts of Other Development Cooperation Agencies. Capacity Development Initiative, GEF-UNDP Strategic Partnership, July 2000
- ↑ UNDP/UNDOALOS, 1994, Report on the Consultative Meeting on Training in Integrated Management of Coastal and Marine Areas for Sustainable Development, Sassari, Sardinia, Italy, 21-23 June, 1993. United Nations Development Programme and Division for Ocean Affairs, United Nations, New York.
