This revised edition offers updated information and an expanded range of tools to support ADB staff and stakeholders to implement participatory approaches effectively. The updated content reflects ADB's new business processes and highlights key opportunities for participation in policy dialogue and throughout the project cycle, and advises on methods and approaches, as well as pitfalls to avoid. In this edition, special attention is given to safeguards, gender, governance, HIV/AIDS and infrastructure, and water and sanitation. A wealth of participation resources developed by a wide range of organizations exists online; this guide includes an inventory of references for those seeking further information.

On-site learning in the own region has a high educational potential, which should be utilized by promoting the participation of adults, young people and children at regional level. In order to reach this objective, the concept of Rural Action Learning was developed, tested and evaluated in this research project. The evaluation results show that regional action-oriented learning promotes the identity formation and the acquisition of participatory competence. It contributes effectively to the participation at regional level with particular emphasis on an education for sustainable development. A two-group pre-test and post-test design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of Rural Action Learning. Participants in learning activities were asked to complete a questionnaire before and after the activity in order to detect changes in the characteristics of regional identity and participatory competence. In addition, interviews with organizers of learning activities provided comprehensive data to identify factors that influence the effectiveness of these measures.

With their unique strengths and specialized knowledge of their communities and constituencies, civil society organizations (CSOs) have an essential role to play in creating a more prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific. This publication provides guidance on how CSOs can be more effectively engaged in Asian Development Bank (ADB) operations to maximize the benefits for its developing member countries. It provides advice, templates, and tips for ADB staff and country officials to use when designing, implementing, and monitoring ADB-financed operations.

Strengthening local governance with a view to promoting democratic representation, establishing entitlements, and improving the provision of goods and services, can play a critical role in human development. The evaluation concludes that UNDP has not fully capitalized on its comparative advantage in strengthening local governance, and suggests that, in part, this relates to the absence, within UNDP, of a common understanding of and sufficient corporate guidance on strengthening local governance. While there are numerous examples of support to local governance that have been innovative and effective, other initiatives have had limited impact and some have tended to be ad hoc and isolated, rather than systematic and strategic. For UNDP to play a more effective role in strengthening local governance reforms, the evaluation recommends that it should more explicitly and effectively mainstream local governance into all programmatic focus areas by developing a coherent framework that is firmly grounded in the practice of human development. The evaluation also recommends that UNDP should strengthen its partnerships with its associated funds and programmes in order to enhance the effectiveness of its initiatives in local governance -- Publishers website.

Rural women make up the majority of food producers in the world, and they are vital to the wellbeing of their families and communities. Yet, in many parts of the world, women face multiple forms of discrimination that affect their potential. They often have less access to resources and fewer opportunities to participate in decision-making processes. The gender and food security policy domains are generally disconnected: food security and nutrition objectives are rarely reflected in gender-relate d policies, and gender equality concerns are often missing in food security and nutrition policies. This gender guidance note seeks to facilitate policy dialogue on how to best synchronize gender equality and women’s empowerment policy objectives and food security and nutrition ones, to enhance coordination between the two policy domains, and ultimately enable women on an equal basis with men to realize their potentials as key partners in improving food security and nutrition.

"This report details the design and development process for the Synthetic Theater of War (STOW) exercise produced in the COBRAS III project. The exercise was to serve as the vehicle for three primary research areas: training support package and resource requirements, technology and infrastructure requirements, and potential for training value. The multiechelon training audience of the Brigade Combat Team included the brigade commander and staff, the commander and staff of one battalion task force (TF), and the line company commanders, first sergeants, fire support team leaders, and scout platoon of that TF. The STOW environment linked constructive simulation (the Brigade/Battalion Battle Simulation BBS and Modular Semi-Automated Forces ModSAF) and virtual simulation (Simulation Networking SIMNET) and reconfigurable simulators). The trial implementation in February - March 1998 involved members of TF 1-101, 3rd Brigade, and 42nd Infantry Division of the New York National Guard, along with supporting participants from the Force XXI Training Program, contracted logistics support (CLS) staffs, and the COBRAS Team. Training support was found to be manageable but resource-intensive. Technology and infrastructure findings were mixed: the systems promise exciting training opportunities, but there were many suggestions for improvement from participants. From the unit members' point of view, the exercise provided valuable training, and there was strong support for continued STOW and reconfigurable simulator development and use."--Stinet.

Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance to Manage Disaster Risk presents the second principle from the UNISDR Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2015-2030. The framework includes discussion of risk and resilience from both a theoretical and governance perspective in light of the ideas that are shaping our common future and presents innovative tools and best practices in reducing risk and building resilience. Combining the applications of social, financial, technological, design, engineering and nature-based approaches, the volume addresses rising global priorities and focuses on strengthening the global understanding of risk governance practices, initiatives and trends. Focusing on disaster risk governance at the national, regional, and global levels, it presents both historic and contemporary issues, asking researchers and governments how they can use technological advances, risk and resilience metrics and modeling, business continuity practices, and past experiences to understand the disaster recovery process and manage risk. - Follows the global frameworks for disaster risk reduction and sustainability, specifically the UNISDR Sendai Framework for DRR, 2015-2030 - Addresses lessons learned and future paths in disaster risk governance models - Integrates public and private interests in risk governance - Presents methodologies dealing with risk uncertainty, ambiguity and complexity