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Home»Approaches»Institutions & social norms

Institutions & social norms

Institutions, approaches and lessons for coherent and integrated conflict analysis

Helpdesk Report
  • Siân Herbert
September 2020

This rapid literature review explores the new institutional structures and approaches that have emerged to ensure that conflict analysis and action in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS) is coherent and integrated across the many actors that now engage in this broadened field of work. This query focuses on the institutions and approaches of, and lessons from, six ...» more

Communication interventions supporting positive civic action in Lebanon

Helpdesk Report
  • Dylan O’Driscoll
March 2018

This rapid review synthesises data from academic, policy and NGO sources on the role media can play in creating/easing tensions between refugees and the host community, and within the host community itself. Acknowledging the importance media can play in perceptions, and considering the confessional and political nature of the media, the review also maps the media/social media ...» more

Changing gender and social norms, attitudes and behaviours

Helpdesk Report
  • Huma Haider
April 2017

This annotated bibliography presents studies of programmes that aim to bring about changes in gender and social norms, and changes in wider attitudes and behaviours. Much of the literature and some programme designs recognise the need to change social norms in order to change behaviours, such as HIV/AIDs prevention and better sanitation and hygiene. The report looks at ...» more

Methods and approaches for understanding behaviour change

Helpdesk Report
August 2016

There are many theories about, and approaches to, behavioural change derived from disciplines such as psychology, sociology, communication and political science. These theories focus on a number of different levels: the enabling environment; the community; the interpersonal; or the individual. What matters is not only which behaviour change intervention or policy is ...» more

Webinar video: Social norms and violence against women and girls

E-Learning
  • Webinar
  • Lori Heise and Emma Fulu
February 2016

https://youtu.be/q99ByZCbPlw   Dr Lori Heise (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) and Emma Fulu (the Equality Institute) gave short presentations on social norms and violence against women and girls. They drew on their experience and research to reflect on comments and questions raised by participating development practitioners. Download the presentations here and here. The webinar was held…» more

Social norms

E-Learning
  • Reading pack
  • Lori Heise & Karima Manji
January 2016

In recent years the development community has witnessed an upsurge of interest in the role that social norms may play in perpetuating a host of harmful practices, especially practices affecting women and girls.  There has long been interest in how deeply held beliefs, attitudes, and norms can justify male dominance and reinforce behaviour and institutions that…» more

Inclusive institutions

E-Learning
  • Reading pack
  • Sam Hickey
December 2015

The term ‘inclusive institutions’ does not refer to a clearly defined field of theory or policy within international development, but to a normative sensibility that stands in favour of inclusion as the benchmark against which institutions can be judged and also promoted. Inclusive institutions are usually portrayed as both a means through which inclusive development…» more

Public sector institutional reform

Topic Guide
  • Anuradha Joshi,
  • Becky Carter
May 2015

The public sector is the single most important investment instrument for the state, and improving the way it is managed is critical for development outcomes including service delivery, social protection and private sector regulation. Public sector governance reform involves institutional reform – that is, changing the rules and norms that govern public sector activity. How can ...» more

Social media and conflict management in post-conflict and fragile contexts

Helpdesk Report
  • Brigitte Rohwerder
January 2015

Some of the roles social media has played in conflict management include: In some cases social media and other new media tools have been used to help hold governments accountable, bring citizens together to protest violence, coordinate relief efforts, empower citizens, provide information to reduce tensions, and build bridges of understanding across boundaries. In other cases ...» more

Public service reform

E-Learning
  • Reading pack
  • Willy McCourt
November 2014

The focus in this Pack is on action: on the public service reform intervention, conceived as an exercise in helping. The readings included in this pack have been chosen to be interesting and fresh rather than comprehensive; that is, to stimulate thinking rather than necessarily to ‘cover all the bases’ in public service reform as…» more

Formal and informal policing in Iraq

Helpdesk Report
  • Sumedh Rao
December 2014

Within the literature there seems to be a number of common themes and recommendations: Supporting the judiciary and improving investigative capability: Greater security for the judiciary and improved legal education, improved capacity of lawyers, as well as greater support for investigative capability. Improving police-community relations: This can be through setting up joint ...» more

Inclusive institutions

Topic Guide
  • Becky Carter
September 2014

Institutions are the formal and informal rules and norms that structure citizens’ rights, entitlements, opportunities and voice. How can policymakers and practitioners support inclusive institutions to promote development that ‘leaves no-one behind’? What do we know about what has – or hasn't – worked, and where? This Topic Guide synthesises the evidence, debates and approaches ...» more

Community-driven development and indigenous, ethnic minority, and disability issues

Helpdesk Report
  • Evie Browne
August 2014

Few CDD programmes explicitly address minority issues. Many programmes target vulnerable groups such as women, youth, disabled, ethnic minorities, but as one group rather than distinguishing their differing needs. Few programmes are targeted specifically at vulnerable groups alone. Many programmes focus on reducing poverty and vulnerability, with the implicit assumption that ...» more

Elected women’s effectiveness at representing women’s interests

Helpdesk Report
  • Evie Browne
May 2014

This rapid literature review collates evidence on women’s actions and interactions in parliaments in Africa. The literature mostly focuses on Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda and Tanzania (Bauer, 2012). There are several consistent findings from African countries, which enables drawing together key lessons: Effectiveness at representing women’s interests: The presence of ...» more

Harmful traditional practices in diaspora communities

Helpdesk Report
  • Evie Browne
May 2014

In general, the trajectory of change among the diaspora communities discussed in the literature surveyed for this report is away from carrying out HTPs. There are fewer examples identified of communities wishing to uphold these practices in their new countries. The literature identifies several factors which impact on change in attitudes and practices: Legality: All host ...» more

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex rights in national human rights institutions

Helpdesk Report
  • Evie Browne
March 2014

NHRIs almost unanimously take a universal human rights stance which is validated and backed up by the UN. This institutional support allows NHRIs to criticise governments for failing to support certain human rights. NHRIs often emphasise that LGBTI rights are contained within existing UN rights principles, particularly the rights to privacy, health, life, freedom from ...» more

Gender in community-driven development

Helpdesk Report
  • Evie Browne
February 2014

Elite capture is a significant concern. The evidence is clear that 'uncontrolled' CDD will not necessarily benefit women, the poor and other disadvantaged groups. Women's participation is a central problem as they do not usually have the time and/or confidence to contribute to village planning processes. To reach women and other disadvantaged groups, CDD needs to have explicit ...» more

Gender in Political Economy Analysis

Helpdesk Report
  • Evie Browne
January 2014

An initial review of the literature indicates that gender is not systematically included in PEA. This was also conveyed by a number of experts consulted for this report, who stated that few if any PEAs to their knowledge had included a gender analysis, with the issue usually treated only in passing. The report nevertheless highlights the existing examples of gender-oriented ...» more

State fragility and social cohesion

Helpdesk Report
  • Evie Browne
November 2013

This report reviews the relationship between social cohesion and state fragility – focusing on literature from 2010 onwards. There is no clear empirical understanding in the literature of how social cohesion contributes to state resilience or fragility, as it is very difficult to measure, and to assess independently other variables that impact on state fragility. Key points ...» more

Monitoring and evaluating civil society partnerships

Helpdesk Report
  • Evie Browne
November 2013

This report lists and describes tools used by NGOs to monitor the quality of their relationships with partner organisations. It begins with a brief analysis of the types of tools and their approaches, then describes each tool. This paper focuses on tools which monitor the partnership relationship itself, rather than the impact or outcomes of the partnership. While there is ...» more

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  • Approaches
    • Complexity & systems thinking
      • Problem-driven iterative adaptation
    • Institutions & social norms
      • Communication & behaviour change
    • PEA / Thinking & working politically
    • Results-based approaches
    • Rights-based approaches
    • Theories of change
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