Reflexive Practice and Development

By: Katharina Hribernigg

Development professionals have an important job with lots of responsibilities. They deal with real people, their lives and futures. While this fact has remained unchanged over the past decades, developments in ICT have added a new dimension to the work of development professionals.

I believe that it is always good to reflect on what we are doing. We should ask ourselves questions such as:

• “Is what we’re doing helping?”
• “Do we know what people’s needs are?”
• “Are we on the right track?”
• And “What could we do better?”

This subject of reflective practice can be very important and valuable, especially when someone’s life, their whole existence, is concerned.

I read a very good book on the subject, called “International Aid and the Making of a Better World : Reflexive Practice” by Rosalind Eyben. It introduces the reader to the subject of International Development and highlights the importance of reflecting on one’s work, with many interesting stories, and at times, a little humor.