Culture and Development Any development involves change but if that change is not for the better good the consequences can be negative and far reaching leading to social unrest and conflict. Thus the global significance of good development can not be underestimated as it concerns us all. Good development can help reduce poverty and thus promote peaceful societies. In essence, the overriding goal of SEAMEO-SPAFA’s culture and development workshops and conferences is to promote the implementation of good development. The workshops bring together individuals from all sectors and professions to partake in personal development training in which they become more self-aware, develop their strengths as well as recognize their weaknesses and build their confidence. Individuals are the people who mediate relationships on behalf of their organizations and so it is thus recognized that personal development is indeed central to good development. Poverty is a threat to peace. To decrease that threat, poverty reduction must take place. The reduction or alleviation of poverty can only result from good development. Best practices in the realization of sustainable development are many but there is no ‘one blue-print’ solution. Creativity, flair, imagination, and understanding are required of individuals to work together with all stakeholders to arrive at decisions by consensus. Throughout this whole process from conception to completion of any given project, an understanding of all historical and social perspectives is needed. In other words understanding the cultural context in which one is operating is essential. Culture comes first; it is the core of good development. Respect for diversity and cultural identities define good development. Without this, the root causes of any problem will be not identified or addressed, and thus the root causes of any potential conflict will be overlooked. Transformation can provide lasting resolutions as opposed to temporary solutions. Only tackling present symptoms will provide some relief but not a cure. Think of it as applying a band aid to a wound without treating the infection. This is why we must dig deep to understand what has happened in the past to better inform our present actions so that we can transform problems and conflicts long-term. The Cultural Mapping Process takes the workshop participants on a journey in which they will become more self- aware and self-critical; a journey designed to challenge previously held ideas, preconceptions, boundaries, and significantly, the scope of opportunities. Critical analysis and reflection enables the visualization of how to convert constraints into opportunities by being creative and resourceful through the adoption of innovative approaches. By thinking ‘out-of-the-box’. Since 2002 well over 1000 people have participated in SEAMEO-SPAFA’s series of activities on culture and development that by mid 2009 will have included 16 workshops and 3 conferences. The key contents of the workshops are as follows: Culture in Projects: Meanings, Understandings, & Problems Development: Meanings, Understandings, & Tools Project Planning & Cultural Analysis Representation, Communication, & Interpretation Conflict Mediation & Transformation Guidelines for Managing the Integration of Culture into Development Programmes is available for download in PDF format. Click the link below. This publication explains in detail the rationale for holding the workshops and contains a 5 day activity workshop plan that can be adapted for use by organizations wishing to address the issues of culture and development and incorporate this exploration into their training activities. Papers from the 2nd International Conference on Culture and Development is also available from the link below. Publication on Culture & Development Selected papers from the 2nd International Conference on Culture and Development: Celebrating Diversity; Achieving Equity (PDF) 2nd Edition of Guidelines for Managing the Integration of Culture into Development Programmes (PDF) 1st Edition of Guidelines for Managing the Integration of Culture into Development Programmes (PDF)