HOW Decisions - 4 Principles
From Peacebuilding
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- ACTIVITY
- INTEGRATION
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Purpose
- To introduce four principles of operation for aid distribution that the Do No Harm experience found consistent through a number of experiences;
- To connect the four principles of operation with participants’ experiences.
Time
At least 45 minutes.
Participants
At least 4.
Materials
- Copies of handouts 1, 2, 3 and 4 (see below);
- Pencils;
- Flip chart papers;
- Markers.
Process
I) Introduce the activity with a short presentation on HOW decisions. For the content you can refer to Anderson, Mary B. (ed.), Options for Aid in Conflict: Lessons from Field Experience, Cambridge: CDA Inc., 2000, http://www.cdainc.com/publications/dnh/options_for_aid_in_conflict_lessons_from_field_experience.php p. 67.
II) Distribute a copy of one handout to each participant, making sure that all handouts (1, 2, 3 and 4) have been equally distributed among participants. Each handout illustrates one principle of operation; participants’ task is to answer the question they find in their handout.
III) Assign sufficient time and start individual work. Ask participants to take note of their answers.
IV) After individual work, invite each participant to form groups with other participants who have worked on different principles. The idea is to form groups of four individuals where everyone has worked on a different principle (or handout).
V) Invite participants in groups to share and discuss their answers with the rest of the group.
Note:
If you wish to bring the process to an alternative closure, you can choose to:
- Have each groups compile flip chart papers with their most important findings on each principle. Then ask groups to hang their papers on a specific section of the room for others to see them.
- After the V Step return back to the plenary and invite groups to share their findings on each principle, inviting discussion.
Source:
The background materials for this activity are from Anderson, Mary. B. (ed.), Options for Aid in Conflict: Lessons From Field Experience, Cambridge: CDA Inc., 2000, http://www.cdainc.com/publications/dnh/options_for_aid_in_conflict_lessons_from_field_experience.php pp. 67-78.
Handout1: One General Principle on HOW to Provide Aid: Inclusivity
The Do No Harm PILOT IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTs found principles of operation that were consistent across all project sites. One of this is INCLUSIVITY: Under most circumstances representatives from all sub-groups in conflict should be included in: a) programming decisions; b) among recipients; c) on staff and d) among partners.
Source:
Adapted from Anderson, Mary B. (ed.), Options for Aid in Conflict: Lessons from Field Experience, Cambridge: CDA Inc., 2000.
Your task is to answer the following questions:
- Why and how the application of this principle can avoid exacerbating conflict and improve inter-group connections?
- When is inclusivity as described above not possible?
- What problems might result from including all sub-groups in programming decisions, among recipients, on staff and among partners?
- What are the special attentions/precautions that should be taken in order to assure that inclusivity works?
- Can you make an example from your experience illustrating – either negatively or positively - this principle?
Handout2: One General Principle on HOW to Provide Aid: Transparency
The Do No Harm PILOT IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTs found principles of operation that were consistent across all project sites. One of this is TRANSPARENCY. When decisions about how aid is to be distributed are open and public, and when the actual distribution is also open for all to see, this can reduce intergroup competition and TENSIONS. Lack of transparency creates fertile ground for rumors about inequitable aid, and enables manipulators to generate animosity around this. Transparency needs to include explicit messages about the purpose of aid and criteria for beneficiaries; without this, open distribution can simply feed into and worsen intergroup relationships.
Source:
Adapted from Anderson, Mary B. (ed.), Options for Aid in Conflict: Lessons from Field Experience, Cambridge: CDA Inc., 2000.
Your task is to answer the following questions:
- Why and how the application of this principle can avoid exacerbating conflict and improve inter-group connections?
- When is transparency as described above not possible?
- What problems might result from open and public decisions about how aid is distributed and from distribution open for all to see?
- What are the special attentions/precautions that should be taken in order to assure that transparency works?
- Can you make an example from you experience illustrating – either negatively or positively – this principle?
Handout3: One General Principle on HOW to Provide Aid: Demonstrating/Strengthening Community
The Do No Harm PILOT IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTs found principles of operation that were consistent across all project sites. One of this is DEMONSTRATING/STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY. Reinforcing the strength of civilian structures reduces the vacuum where military authority can assume power. It helps keep decisions about civilian welfare free from military "strategic" considerations.
Source:
Adapted from Anderson, Mary B. (ed.), Options for Aid in Conflict: Lessons from Field Experience, Cambridge: CDA Inc., 2000.
Your task is to answer the following questions:
- Why and how the application of this principle can avoid exacerbating conflict and improve inter-group connections?
- When is demonstrating/strengthening community as described above not possible?
- What problems might result from reinforcing the strength of civilian structures and keeping decisions about civilian welfare free from military strategic considerations?
- What are the special attentions/precautions that should be taken in order to assure that this principle works?
- Can you make an example from you experience illustrating – either negatively or positively – this principle?
Handout4: One General Principle on HOW to Provide Aid: Quick and Small
The Do No Harm PILOT IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTs found principles of operation that were consistent across all project sites. One of this is QUICK AND SMALL. When aid is provided to intended recipients speedily and in amounts that do not represent much in terms of wealth or power, this lessens opportunities for diversion or manipulation. It also lessens the probability for intergroup jealousy.
Source:
Adapted from Anderson, Mary B. (ed.), Options for Aid in Conflict: Lessons from Field Experience, Cambridge: CDA Inc., 2000.
Your task is to answer the following questions:
- Why and how the application of this principle can avoid exacerbating conflict and improve inter-group connections?
- When is providing aid to recipients speedily and in small amounts not possible?
- What problems might result from providing aid to recipients in small amounts and quickly?
- What are the special attentions/precautions that should be taken in order to assure that this principle works?
- Can you make an example from you experience illustrating – either negatively or positively – this principle?
