Strengthening Country Commitment to Human Development: Lessons from Nutrition

Heaver, Richard

Washington, DC:World Bank

关键词: ACTION RESEARCH;    ADULTS;    ADVOCACY;    AGRICULTURE;    BASIC NEEDS;   

DOI  :  10.1596/0-8213-6037-X
RP-ID  :  31674

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

Malnutrition persists in most developingcountries. It contributes to the deaths of 3.4 millionchildren annually and reduces the intelligence, health, andproductivity of those who survive. Nutrition programs-indeedall human development programs-succeed or fail depending inpart on the commitment of politicians, bureaucrats, andcommunities to properly implement them, both initially andover the long term. Technical, economic, and organizationalissues get the lion's share of attention in designingnutrition and other human development programs. But thesuccess of such programs often depends on two variables:whether countries back them with adequate financing andwhether countries sustain a commitment to high-qualityimplementation. This book argues that assessing andstrengthening country commitment should therefore become anew field of systematic professional practice. This newfield requires expertise in political and policy analysis,organizational behavior, and strategic communication.Focusing on a variety of country programs in nutrition-bothsuccessful and failed-the book describes practical ways toassess and strengthen commitment and outlines an agenda forlearning by doing. In addition to political will, programsneed to build support and commitment across government andcivil society, from local leaders to parents. To sustainthat commitment, organizational structures and processesmust be designed to motivate communities and officials overthe 15 to 20 years it takes to successfully implement anational nutrition program. This book will especially appealto those in the fields of nutrition, public health,community and economic development, and political science.