Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with a number of government officials in a variety of operational contexts. One of the lessons that I have learned from this engagement is that development practitioners whose outputs are measured in number of meetings held, symposiums attended, and/or study tours conducted typically don’t produce much of an impact on the ground. Failure to produce meaningful/tangible results on the ground is unlikely to be appreciated by those living on the ground.
My experience is also shaped by the unsubstantiated sense of importance that many of these practitioners have about the relevancy of their work to shaping development outcomes; especially in environments that remain highly unstable. I am not sure how these well tailored and credentialed members of the international development field managed to navigate their way into these sorts of positions but I suspect that it has less to do with improving the quality of life for the citizens of these countries under stress and a lot more to do with the generous entitlements that come with these positions. In some circumstances, when it is clear that these individuals are without a doubt incompetent, many petition their home governments to lobby on their behalf to ensure that they will have a place at the trough for years to come.
We are at a critical junction in our work in fragile states. There is a growing storm that is approaching. A storm that can also be traced back to certain failures that have become obvious to all to see in many extremely important parts of the world. I know it is easy to say but what we need to see more of is the right inputs, in the right mix, at the right time, and at the right price. To continue on the current path, given the encroaching winds of instability, will only exacerbate the difficulties that are visible under the current culture or entitlements. We need fewer meetings and more people on the ground willing to dismantle the relations/network of powerful forces that prolong these dreadful conflicts and crisis.
Over the next few weeks I will be highlighting and reporting on some of the innovative and courageous field practitioners that are bringing real results to the people that are most in need of our assistance.
My experience is also shaped by the unsubstantiated sense of importance that many of these practitioners have about the relevancy of their work to shaping development outcomes; especially in environments that remain highly unstable. I am not sure how these well tailored and credentialed members of the international development field managed to navigate their way into these sorts of positions but I suspect that it has less to do with improving the quality of life for the citizens of these countries under stress and a lot more to do with the generous entitlements that come with these positions. In some circumstances, when it is clear that these individuals are without a doubt incompetent, many petition their home governments to lobby on their behalf to ensure that they will have a place at the trough for years to come.
We are at a critical junction in our work in fragile states. There is a growing storm that is approaching. A storm that can also be traced back to certain failures that have become obvious to all to see in many extremely important parts of the world. I know it is easy to say but what we need to see more of is the right inputs, in the right mix, at the right time, and at the right price. To continue on the current path, given the encroaching winds of instability, will only exacerbate the difficulties that are visible under the current culture or entitlements. We need fewer meetings and more people on the ground willing to dismantle the relations/network of powerful forces that prolong these dreadful conflicts and crisis.
Over the next few weeks I will be highlighting and reporting on some of the innovative and courageous field practitioners that are bringing real results to the people that are most in need of our assistance.
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