Capacity Building

When development is seen in terms of the participation of more and more people in a collective process of learning, then the concept of capacity building assumes particular importance—a concept that has received growing attention in contemporary development thought and practice. While any instance of social action would naturally aim at improving some aspect of the life of a population, it cannot focus simply on the provision of goods and services—an approach to development that often carries with it attitudes of paternalism and employs methods that can disempower those who should be the protagonists of change. Setting and achieving specific goals to improve conditions is a legitimate concern of social action; yet, it has become increasingly clear in the development field that the accompanying rise in the capacity of participants to contribute to progress is far more essential. Of course, the imperative to build capacity is not only relevant to the individual; it is equally applicable to institutions and the community, the other two protagonists in the advancement of civilization.

For the individual, building capacity implies developing a number of interrelated capabilities—scientific, artistic, technical, social, moral, and spiritual. Individuals must be endowed with an understanding of concepts, knowledge of facts, and mastery of methods, as well as the skills, attitudes, and qualities required to lead a productive life. In terms of the community, capacity building entails fostering its development so that it can act as an environment conducive to the enrichment of culture. On the community rests the challenge of providing the milieu in which individual wills combine, in which powers are multiplied and manifest themselves in collective action, and in which higher expressions of the human spirit can appear.