Understanding development work, 2,500 words

a) Describe and explain a number of different kinds of common project designs, with examples. Why are particular types of project design very unlikely to work in some social contexts? (Find some examples of projects described in the readings or website list for this course and categorize them in terms of project design. How is project design relevant to failure or success in these cases?)

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b)  What kinds of strategies can be put in place to maximize participation in projects? Is there a limit to the extent to which aid agencies will allow beneficiaries to participate in designing their projects? What are some examples of projects that have failed for lack of participatory engagement? What could have been done differently?

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c) What are the typical problems which aid agencies seek to solve in developing countries? Give examples of problems which you think can be alleviated through work by international NGO action. Explain some cases where aid seems to have been effective. Are there any problems that could only be solved by major structural economic change at the level of the state or international community?

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d) What are the ethical arguments that lie behind international action to relieve problems in developing countries? Are there major differences in ethical positions that distinguish different faith communities in relation to aid - for example humanist and secular NGOs, the different Christian sects and their aid organizations, Islamic aid, government aid programs?

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e) Many aid projects are designed to help the poor establish or improve a business. What are some of the problems with these strategies? What are some alternative strategies for poverty relief? Explain one or more alternative strategies. Are there examples of aid projects that are moving in this direction (away from entrepreneurialism)?

Assignment 2: Design OR evaluate a project, or policy

Critically discuss a policy, project or program of your choice. Your essay/report should be structured in the following way: Introduction; brief explanation of the policy, project or program; assessing the extent and severity of the problems requiring social interventions; the social interventions that the policy, project or program has set up; an evaluation of the intervention strategy.For more detail see 'Assessments' in Blackboard as the semester progresses.See How to Write a Masters Report in Blackboard (Assessments).