DDominguez

Community-based Integrated Watershed Management (Silang, Cavite, Philippines, from 2012-05-28 09:00 to 2012-06-08 17:00) — by Dulce Dominguez

This course is designed for mid and senior level rural development professionals and government functionaries to learn concepts and strategies of a watershed approach in solving many of the problems that beseech rural development and natural resources management initiatives. Participants will learn the skills and techniques necessary to systematically plan, implement, monitor and evaluate community-based watershed initiatives in partnership with local communities, government line agencies, and rural development practitioners. Hence, the course design strikes a balance and practical integration between the technical, social, economic, and political elements of community-based integrated watershed management implementation.

Mainstreaming Gender in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from 2012-03-19 09:00 to 2012-03-30 17:00) — by Dulce Dominguez

Gender mainstreaming puts premium on gender equality as a strategic objective of development. While much effort has been given towards mainstreaming gender within various phases and contexts of development work, much needs to be done in integrating gender equality programming in climate change (CC) and disaster risk reduction (DRR). Program planners and policy-makers have acknowledged the need to further their understanding between the critical linkages of gender and CC and DRR. The course will focus on disaster mitigation and adaptation to climate change responses within a gender framework, leading to a more gender responsive CC and DRR programming and planning. The course builds on the capacity of program managers and policy makers to integrate gender equality and women’s empowerment concepts in efforts to decrease disaster risks and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Gender concepts, methods, tools and analysis will be explored within the context of CC and DRR.

Integrating a Value Chain Perspective in Micro and Small Scale Enterprise Development (Silang, Cavite, Philippines, from 2012-07-02 09:00 to 2012-07-13 17:00) — by Dulce Dominguez

The value chain approach has been adapted by many enterprises to improve the quality of its products and increase its profitability. Value chain ensures that all steps in the production process are considered, and buyer’s requirements, industry standards, efficiency of suppliers and market information are analyzed. The effectiveness of value chain development in an enterprise is evident with the improved production process, focused market niche identification and upgraded product quality, all resulting to higher selling prices and increased profits for social enterprise. This course will guide the participants on: how to collect baseline data for their products; map selected value chains including addressing gaps in the market; identify appropriate interventions to fill the gaps; and create a business plan to map out strategies in implementation, required technical assistance and upgrading of existing products to meet market demands and requirements.

Addressing Household Food Security in the Context of Changing Climate and Environment (Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from 2012-10-08 09:00 to 2012-10-19 17:00) — by Dulce Dominguez

Poverty, hunger, malnutrition and climate change threaten to destabilize economic, social, political and environmental conditions. There is a dire need to learn and disseminate appropriate strategies and approaches in dealing with challenges to achieve food security at the household level. In Cambodia, food security efforts have received special attention as the country reached self-suffciency in rice and is now moving towards exporting this commodity. Considerable emphasis has been put on backyard systems for livestock production, and, more recently on small scale aquaculture. Community based natural resource management has also received considerable attention. This has sufficiently scaled up models for community forestry, fisheries and mangrove rehabilitation which can be seen in various parts of the country. The course highlights opportunities to learn from Cambodia’s rich experiences and ongoing initiatives in coastal, forest and agricultural settings.

Participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (Silang, Cavite, Philippines, from 2012-04-16 09:00 to 2012-04-27 17:00) — by Dulce Dominguez

The growing concern for accountability and results of development initiatives has led to the need for effective monitoring and evaluation of development programs/projects. Studies have shown that when people ‘own’ development projects, they tend to be more sustainable. Community ownership of development projects is only possible when they participate meaningfully in the development, implementation and management of these projects. Participatory monitoring, evaluation and learning (PMEL) advocates for meaningful participation of people and communities where they shift from being sources of information to the ones raising questions during project monitoring and evaluation. The course shall focus on PMEL as a management tool for strengthening participation, enhancing local capacity, and increasing local people’s confidence and control over development decisions and processes. It also highlights the importance of learning in Monitoring and Evaluation.

Building Resilient Communities: Community-Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (Silang, Cavite, Philippines, from 2012-05-07 09:00 to 2012-05-18 17:00) — by Dulce Dominguez

The global climate system is in a constant state of flux. Changes in climate patterns are now becoming more evident. Drought affected areas are increasing, heavy precipitation is getting more frequent and typhoons and hurricanes are getting more intense. Disasters wipe out the accumulated gains of development efforts. This course shall focus on the Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) framework which establishes the relationship between disaster and development. This framework asserts that disasters can be avoided and the effects of hazards can be reduced by increasing individual’s capability and capacity towards survivability and community’s capacity towards readiness. The goal of CMDRR is building resilient communities.

Capturing Lessons from the Field: The Writeshop Process (Silang, Cavite, Philippines, from 2012-06-18 09:00 to 2012-06-29 17:00) — by Dulce Dominguez

Development organizations face the challenge of documenting the results of their work. Funding organizations and other stakeholders demand significant results from development interventions. One of the many ways to showcase these results is through stories that describe how development projects have significantly affected peoples’ lives. Unfortunately, many development professionals have difficulty capturing these results through writing. Many development workers find it difficult to focus on the essential and meaningful aspects of their experiences. This two-week course shall focus on non-fiction writing and in organizing and facilitating a writeshop. The writeshop process pioneered by IIRR, is a tool for learning and sharing important lessons from the field.