Capacity Building
HCP’s vision of capacity building is one wherein various local institutions in developing countries lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategic health communication programs that achieve improved health and contribute to the development of health competent societies.
In collaboration with local partners, HCP aims to realize this vision in all countries in which it has a major presence through a participatory, results-oriented approach – “Collective Learning and Action” (CLA). CLA occurs through targeted training for specialized expertise, investing in a lead or consortium of agencies, networking and technical assistance, and the use of evidence-based tools.
Collective Learning and Action
CLA is rooted in the idea that the most effective learning is based on results-oriented participatory action, practice, or doing. And when this learning is achieved through systematic use of tools and processes and goes beyond focusing on individuals into groups or institutions, then capacities developed are more meaningful and sustainable. CLA ensures that key participants in the process of designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating health communication programs participate collectively in both the creation and sharing of knowledge and skills. HCP program staff is mentored in the ways of providing technical assistance (TA) that respects and recognizes local talent, and seeks and brings to the forefront the best in them. In this context, capacity building becomes an integral part of all HCP work.
The connecting thread for all HCP-supported capacity building inputs is the emphasis on systematic thinking, planning, and action: that is, the systematic use and application of evidence-based health communication tools and processes by local partners (e.g., Community Action Cycle (CAC), the New P Process, Design Document Approach, MARCH Model, Community Defined Quality (CDQ), Social Change Indicators, Visualization in Participatory Planning (VIPP), social network analysis, various tools on counselling, communication research).
Types of Capacity Building Approaches
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Targeted Training for Specialized Expertise: Part of the CLA approach is providing targeted training programs for various categories of personnel. These more formal programs often use on-the-job learning approaches and benefit from the sharing of the knowledge among the trainees themselves.
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Investment in Lead Institution or Consortium: HCP’s overall approach to capacity building also includes investment in leading institutions in countries where HCP supports major projects. It is envisioned that these lead institutions or consortia will continue to play leading roles in health communication with minimal assistance from outside, when HCP ends.
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Networking and Linking to Achieve Scale: Where a single lead organization is not an option, another HCP capacity-building strategy is to establish networks and link different institutions to reach a common goal. This is achieved by setting up stakeholders meetings, seeking organizational commitment, and forming Technical Committees, Task Forces, Working Groups and Coalitions around agreed-upon tasks. Health and social issues are linked with new and less-experienced organizations through social learning exchange visits.
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Technical Assistance and Use of Evidence-based Tools as Components of CLA: There is an enormous range of styles and approaches to providing technical assistance, but the bottom line for HCP is that providing and receiving TA is a shared endeavor and all parties contribute to the final product. That is, those “providing” TA may be skilled in using evidence-based tools and processes that work, while those “receiving” TA are experts in the local conditions and culture. Hence, both learn from each other through a process of convergence by creating and sharing knowledge together.
Note about materials: Some of the materials and resources listed on each page are available in their full form, others are represented by image or citation only. For more information and resources, go to www.jhuccp.org
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