Capacity Development for Effective and Efficient Disabled Persons Organizations in Pacific Island Countries
Disabled peoples organizations (DPOs) are committed to increasing their capacity, effectiveness and efficiency within their respective countries, so they can represent the interests of their own members and help meet disability-related local, national, regional and international goals. The current capacity of Pacific DPOs varies significantly and their pathways to greater capacity will be different in each country. Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) recognises that DPOs are responsible for their own capacity development and wants to ensure that any efforts to contribute to DPO capacity development are well-conceived and likely to be successful.
What is this research about?
In 2011-2012, the PDF will undertake a substantial practical research program aimed to contribute to this process. It will work with its partner, Australia Pacific Islands Disability Support (APIDS) to facilitate research processes in each member country, and at a regional level.
Over 18 months, beginning in February 2011 in Fiji the research will provide opportunities for 11 member DPOs in 11 Pacific Island countries to:
· reflect on and share what they know already about capacity and capacity development
· learn about what works well and why
· develop new ideas and ways of working
· share their experiences with others
· be in a stronger position to negotiate with their own members and development partners about how to strengthen their capacity in the future.
How will this research be used?
· Provide opportunities for reflection within and between DPOs about their experiences to date and lessons learned, including understanding of the links between capacity, organisational change, partnerships and cultural values
· Promote inter-DPO learning on capacity, capacity development as well as effectiveness and efficiency issues (including leadership, organizational governance and administration)
· Contribute to learning among donors, partners and DPOs about appropriate partnership models and capacity development approaches and tools
· Inform future partnerships focused on capacity development
The research partners
PDF was established in 2002 and officially inaugurated in 2004, to work towards inclusive, barrier-free, socially just, and gender equitable societies that recognize the human rights, citizenship, contribution and potential of people with disabilities in Pacific Island Countries and territories. PDF promotes and facilitates Pacific regional cooperation on disability-related concerns for the benefit of people with disabilities.
APIDS was established as a non-profit company in 2005 to assist disabled peoples’ organisations to contribute towards the alleviation of poverty for people with disabilities in Pacific Island countries. APIDS is made up of volunteers with experience in disability issues. It supports disabled peoples’ organisations to meet the objectives they have prioritized for themselves.
The research funder
The PDF and APIDS are grateful to the Government of Australia through AusAID for funding this research.
pacificdisability.org
Setareki S. Macanawai
ceo@pacificdisability.org
