Table of Contents

Prelims [Figures, Boxes and Tables | Preface | Acknowledgements | Participatory research projects | Acronyms] 1 Failures of top-down development planning 2 How change happens 3 Catalysing large-scale and sustainable change 4 Seeing the system - participatory systemic inquiry 5 Systemic action research 6 Nurtured Emergent Development 7 Power in transformative change processes 8 Participatory processes in development 9 Implications for development Index

Promotional Information

'Burns and Worsley bring an acute understanding of the practitioner's art and science of development. Intangibles like participation, learning, and network development are at the core of ownership and appropriate action for social change for the poor. Navigating Complexity in International Development unlocks the analysis and dialogue needed to impact sustainable large-scale change. An important contribution for all of us working at the front end of development.' Steve Hollingworth, President and CEO, Freedom from Hunger 'This book makes an important case for engaging complex systems, and contributes theory and practice for those researching and intervening to improve the conditions of the poor. It challenges current linear development thinking and offers new methods to effectively engage complexity. Its reflective case studies give rise to a new hope that, with the right approach, development can do better.' Frank Rijsberman, CEO, CGIAR consortium 'The timely message of the book then is that we must adopt a collaborative systems orientation anchored in the realities of human participation when dealing with the complexity inherent in international change endeavours.' Hilary Bradbury, Professor, Division of Management, Oregon Health and Science University, and Editor, Action Research 'This book presents powerful and persuasive case-based evidence to show how systemic change can be achieved at scale.' Robert Chambers, Research Associate and Professor Emeritus, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex 'One of the most thoughtful explorations on the nature of complexity in the development sector. A rare example of a book where the writing is accessible without trivializing the underlying theory. It provides a great platform from which the participative action research and complexity theory communities can develop an exciting new body of both theory and practice.' Dave Snowden, Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, Cognitive Edge Pte Ltd 'It is courageous to think in terms of complexity in an era where linear thinking and accountability set the tone. In my experience, working together, coping with power differences, energy, trial, error, reflection and learning, keeping an eye on the parts as well as the whole, using data as well as your senses -- are a few essential elements to make change processes developmental. The book is inspiring since it captures both practice and theoretical reflections.' Annemiek Jenniskens, ex-director, SNV/Netherlands Development Organisation 'For too long, development problems have been articulated as technical issues - reframed in ways that remove politics, power imbalances and economics from the analysis. In contrast, this valuable book draws upon original studies to demonstrate the case for taking account of complexity, emphasizing the importance of participatory action and reflection whilst recognizing the need to link bottom-up approaches with wider strategies for social change.' Marjorie Mayo, Emeritus Professor of Community Development, Goldsmith's College, University of London

About the Author

Danny Burns leads the Participation Research Cluster at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. Stuart Worsley is Head of Development Partnerships, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Kenya.