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Knowledge Systems for Sustainable Development

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    • Models must take into account the local context to promote knowledge and training
      • The local context conditions the effectiveness of action in favour of development, or how to develop "behavioural skills" - Benoit SILVE

The local context conditions the effectiveness of action in favour of development, or how to develop "behavioural skills" - Benoit SILVE

So as to make humanitarian aid increasingly professional, Bioforce provides a vocational training course for logisticians engaged in humanitarian action. The course is designed to make them more efficient but its main thrust is to integrate local and regional specificities. The object is to teach "behavioural skills".

Bioforce was created by Charles Mérieux, whose father was one of Pasteur's assistants working on bacteria. He therefore represents a part of our history, the history of the last century, when mankind began to distance itself very forcibly from its natural environment and become aware at the same time of the possible consequences of such evolution, in particular as regards the impact on the cultures that had emerged from this age old environment.

These problems were compounded in part by conflicts, the unacceptable effects of which on civilian populations are all too noticeable. In that same time frame, there was a constructive effort to improve methods of assistance to developing countries and to provide a systematic framework for concepts such as "emergency" and "development" embedded in local contexts.

However, as the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq now demonstrate, new perils threaten humanitarian action. The need for an element of partnership in any development activity, as opposed to aid born of purely bilateral North-South processes, is also increasingly evidenced in factual situations.

The enthusiastic spirit of the "humanitarian generation" of the 70s often led to a preference for action. With hindsight, the experience and commitment of the "French Doctors" helps to show that results are more important than the action itself. Progressively, the effects of humanitarian assistance on the natural environment and biodiversity are coming under scrutiny.

Other theories have prevailed since the beginnings of humanitarian action. One of the mutations is the importance of being a professional. In 1974, when an epidemic of meningitis hit Brazil, thanks to an extraordinary public health operation, 90 million Brazilians were vaccinated. The lesson Dr. Mérieux drew from this experience was that the logistical element is fundamental.

With this in mind, he created Bioforce in 1983 so as to provide vocational training for logisticians engaged in humanitarian action. The Institute also aims to train them for a given context, in order to integrate local issues more realistically.

In practical terms, the Institute based its action on cooperation with existing humanitarian organisations so as to identify clearly the various specific missions of international solidarity: managers, logisticians, etc.

The effectiveness of humanitarian action is enhanced if a careful analysis is made of professional "job descriptions". In so doing, the personal development of humanitarian professionals is enhanced, as is their specific know-how and it becomes possible to bridge gaps between various professions.

The issue of water is a clear illustration, in every context, that international solidarity concerns man as part of his environment. This must never be forgotten and we must always keep in mind the need to assimilate the local context. The first rule is to learn how to ask the right questions, before any attempt at integration.

As regards humanitarian training activities, it has sometimes been said that urgency takes precedence over development. We would consider that the truth lies in a continuum where urgency is to humanitarian aid what emergency medical aid is to medicine. The concepts are not opposed, and it is a matter for response to a specific context. Whenever a decision is called for, immediate needs must be weighed in the balance of durable effects. Obviously, such a process requires a good deal of preparatory work, otherwise only urgency's voice will be heard.

The professions of humanitarian action therefore require specific training. The values which are the very essence of that occupation must stay in the foreground. Reflection is naturally based on the respect of values subscribed to locally. The importance of these local values is such that we are more inclined to speak in terms of education than purely vocational training, and this structuring process is what we call "behavioural skills".

Characteristic behavioural skills are precisely the capacity to adapt behaviour to context, to be aware of personal limitations and capacities, to be capable of distancing oneself from a situation in order to adopt an objective viewpoint. This is what we see as the meaning of "respecting others in their own environment".

However, learning behavioural skills cannot be solely theoretical. Specific experience is also required. Bioforce considers that it is essential to integrate the local and regional context, in cooperation with international aid organisations, so as to deliver the specific training that is needed. We also emphasize the multi-cultural aspect of tuition so as to cope with the different facets of reality.

The situation today is all the more worrying because the effects of human "development" on the planet are accelerating and leave little time for reflection and decision on the steps which could be taken to allow individuals to prosper in their environment without any harmful effects on biodiversity. It is true that collective action can be mediated by humanitarian action, but broadening the notions of respect for others and for their social and natural environment remains essential.

This is what we mean by « behavioural skills » : encouraging positive action in widely differing contexts.