Development and the HIV Epidemic: A forward-looking evaluation of the approach of the UNDP HIV and Development Programme 7. SOME ISSUES RELATING TO THE NATURE OF CHANGE WITHIN DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE
Recent practices of technical cooperation used by UNDP and others have an inclusive, process-oriented approach. This approach is characterised by use of the concepts of partnership, shared reflection on lived experiences, the gradual evolution of people's understanding and ability to act, and a collective development of effective responses which cannot be pre-determined but which are, almost by definition, relevant to the lives of the people who develop them and are thus more likely to be sustainable. The dominant model of development which guides development and HIV-related practice generally uses an approach characterised by use of analysis of situations through externally designed research, and programming based on interventions or disseminations. These programmes aim to change people's behaviour and determine the possible range of effective responses according to pre-conceived and measurable predictions of outcomes. The evaluation found that the proponents of the effectiveness of the new human development paradigm, and those who are most able to explain how it works, are most often those whose lives are directly affected by the epidemic and who have themselves been through transformative experiences. They often expressed a quiet yet confident hope that the processes with which they are working will continue to result in effective responses to the challenges of HIV and development. Those working within a less process-oriented approach expressed the most pessimism and the least belief in forward movement. In the absence of finding effective "models" which work and which are replicable, they were unable to capture the sense of forward movement which was evident amongst people who were acting within a paradigm of inclusion and participation.
7.1 Key lessons learnt This section is based on the results of interactive discussions held in the field between evaluation team members, partners of the Programme and others who have been involved in using similar approaches. It explains some implications arising from the way in which changes are occurring in development practice. These changes affect what is happening in the field, as described here from the perspectives of those whose lives are affected. While discussions take place amongst high level international organisations about the need for new approaches to development practice, and changes take place in the field within specific development projects, many individuals and organisations now feel caught between two paradigms: the traditional approaches of technical cooperation, which still dominate the understanding of many middle level bureaucrats in funding and programming agencies, and the newer approaches of sustainable human development, which are being applied in ways which make sense in their daily practice. Thus, there are important difficulties which arise from the experience of being caught between two very different, and often seemingly irreconcilable, approaches. Such difficulties are intensified because even some agencies which are involved in the development of new approaches, including UNDP, are not yet reorienting their programme planning, management and evaluation processes in ways which clearly support such changes.
7.2 Problems with interaction between different types of development practice The fact that process-oriented approaches to HIV and development are taking place within an international climate in which most programming responses to HIV and development are still based on practices derived from a more directive paradigm presents problems. These problems include the following:
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