Into the Unknown: Explorations in development practice

Development is about change, and lives immersed in researching international development should be prepared for exploration, for discovering the unexpected, and for questioning the direction that 'development' is taking. In the opening part of this book, Robert Chambers reflects on experiences in his own life, including his early career, participation in the World Bank's Voices of the Poor project and work with the Indian Government on canal irrigation, which led him to examine personal biases and predispositions, and he challenges readers to examine the pervasive significance of power in forming and framing knowledge. Into the Unknown then reflects on the journey of learning, and encourages readers to learn from observation, curiosity, critical feedback, play and fun. Participatory workshops have been the source of much enjoyable and surprising learning, and they have themselves evolved in unexpected directions. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) are two movements that have benefited from sharing practice, innovations and experience through participatory workshops. This book includes 21 tips on how to lead into such workshops and 21 tips on how to convene workshops that can co-generate knowledge and have an influence. Finally, the author asks whether the new dual realities - virtual and physical - are getting out of balance - and encourages readers to explore through experiential learning in the physical and social world. Into the Unknown will be of interest to development professionals, including academics, students, NGO workers and the staff of international agencies.