Module 2: International Development and Capacity Building
Broadly defined, international development refers to foreign governments, NGOs, or multinational organizations investing in developing countries with the intention of creating sustained improvement in quality of life. Local capacity building is the process through which this sustained improvement is effected. Building local capacity refers to supplying developing communities with the equipment, facilities, resources, skills, and knowledge to thrive long-term.
In the realm of global health, there are several essential components of sustainable international development:
Partnerships
- International development must be a collaboration between global health organizations and local communities. Before capacity building can begin, local leaders and healthcare personnel must be identified and brought on board.
Investment
- Community health development cannot occur without a solid health infrastructure. To begin capacity building, global health organizations must invest in the proper equipment, facilitate transportation, and provide other key tools and resources to make healthcare delivery possible.
Empowerment
- In addition to securing a health infrastructure, global health organizations must recruit and train local community members and health workers. Only with a motivated, skilled body of local health personnel, community members, and volunteers are follow-up care, ongoing care, outreach and long-term sustainability possible.
Growth
- Global health organizations must continue providing support to local communities so that the healthcare improvements can spread. Part of empowering communities includes encouraging idealism and proactivity among locals. Through continued education and capacity building, healthcare improvements can propagate.