The power of peer learning : networks and development cooperation

An ancient Chinese proverb tells us "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." The same can be said for development assistance. Solutions provided by outside "experts" are often rejected or politely shelved. However, solutions based on the principle of "self-help" are far more likely to take root. This book explores the self-help, peer learning approach of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), comparing it with that of IDRC. It focuses on the importance of networks to development and growth, and demonstrates