Introduction to the do no harm concept

How to avoid the negatives effects in a development cooperation action

By Anna Renau Granados

Hippocrates, 460 BC - 370 BC. Aprox.

Illness was the result of an imbalance. Hippocratic medicine was humble and passive. One of the important points of Hippocratic medicine is the relevance given to the prognosis. They worried about and take care of the patient.

Awareness about Development Cooperation Aid

UN First Development Decade 1960-1070
UN Millennium Declaration 2000

Monterrey Concensus, 2002

Paris Declaration, 2005

Doha Conference, 2008

3rd Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, Accra 2008

What is do no harm ?
Forward-thinking => Act cautiously => Efficiency and effectiveness

What can I do to organize a dinner and make everybody happy?

Which kind of dinner will be offered: with family, friends or colleagues, different people do not know each other, couples, with children, etc. Is everybody available the same day? Or do they have other plans? People who will come, have any point in common? Communication will be easy among assistants? Depends on which period of the year it can be cold or warm, so I can prepare light food or something heavier. Seasonal products will be used. There will be anyone vegetarian or allergic to some aliment? Everything will be offered or everyone may bring something?

Do no harm in development cooperation

Donors Motivation
Where

Who

What

Beneficiaries

How

When

Culture Aid workers Why

Traditions

Impact

Coordination

Results

Availability

Objective:
Positive impact in every field Aid quality Without prejudices Local capacities empowerment -> self-development

Points to take into account to act according do no harm

Context:
Where Why When

Action:
What How

Actors
Direct Implication Indirect Implication

Evaluation

Context:
Where
- Proper and adequate information -> real indicators - Knowledge of the field-> geographical, social, cultural aspects...

Why
- Motivation from all actors: aid workers, donor countries and receptors, beneficiaries.

When
- Right moment for the implementation. - Actors availability.

Action:
What
- Realistic action in accordance to specific objectives. - Definition of implementation process, characteristics and possible problems or unforeseen events. - Cross cutting issues: gender equality, governance, human rights, environment.

How
- Methodology for each activity. - To include inherent characteristics of the context: culture, ideology, community role of beneficiaries, social and institutional relations, etc.

Actors:
Action s implementers -> responsibilities and role to be developed Relation with the project Potentiality and limitations Direct involvement of beneficiaries in the whole process Actors with direct or indirect involvement Consensus all the time

Evaluation:
Evaluation of every element States the real result of the action Dissemination results (positives & negatives) -> transparency Awareness and education of the society To establish culture of evaluation -> do not be afraid of bad results Opportunity to improve

Conclusions:
The concept of do no harm can be put into practice in any context or field. It is necessary to reinforce local capacities to assure project s sustainability -> the beneficiaries. Change of mind-> prevention before action

Thank you.