George H. Axinn and Nancy W. Axinn. Collaboration in International Rural Development: A Practitioner's Handbook.

Malik, Afia

George H. Axinn and Nancy W. Axinn. Collaboration in International Rural Development: A Practitioner's Handbook. New Delhi: Sage Publications, 1997. 334 pages. Hardbound, Indian Rs 395.00.

The world community is moving into the 21st century with a new line of thinking. This has affected both the theory and the practice of rural and international development, particularly in the area of development cooperation. This handbook is designed for those engaged in international development cooperation, and is intended to provide practical and useful information and insights into the professional aspects of their work. An important feature is the lessons derived from the author's personal field experience, coupled with and supported by the knowledge and experience of others as reflected in the literature on this subject.

This volume is divided into four major parts: Part I focuses on the field of international rural development and identifies current issues and concerns on this subject. Gender issues are given special treatment. Part II addresses the strategic and policy alternatives, and the design of programmes and projects, with an emphasis on collaboration, accountability, participation, decentralisation, and devolution. Programme development, evaluation strategies, and learning and communication strategies for development are also discussed. Part III deals with implementation and administration, and reflects on organising, staffing, directing, and financing international development. Part IV concludes with a discussion on the challenging but optimistic view of the future of collaboration in international development.

This handbook is a combination of theory and practice and is mainly designed to be a guide for field practitioners in international development.

By Afia Malik, Research Economist, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad.