these are NOT official Open University Web pages   

 
One person's personal experience in
studying and working in development
-- human, community, institutional & environmental

 
The word "development" in the USA means either fund-raising or software or business development. But in the rest of the world, it means development relating to human development, community development, institutional development, environmental development, country development, etc. As an American, I never knew this more-widespread meaning for the word; not until February 2001, when I joined the United Nations Development Programme, specifically, its headquarters for the United Nations Volunteers programme, to manage its Online Volunteering service and contribute to the UN Information Technology Service. But even though I had not understood the word as most of the world does, I realized that I had many years of experience in development work itself - I just didn't know the work had a name.

I also should note that "development" is a contested term, and some approaches to improving people's lives could be seen more about "preservation" or "protection" (of resources, of traditional ways of life, etc.) rather than "progress" or "change."

Originally, this part of my web site was a blog about only my experience with Open University development studies, and a way to link to OU resources I might need to access when I wasn't at my own computer. But over time, I expanded it to cover all of my work and continuing studies regarding development. This portion of my web site is intended to:

• Outline development topics of particular interest to me, such as ways that folklore, rumors and urban myths interfere with development and aid/relief efforts and network with others who are also interested in such.

• Provide updates about my work in development (most recently with UNDP in Afghanistan, March - August 2007).

• Network with other professionals and students engaged or formerly engaged in development studies, with OU or other universities.

• To offer advice for studying and preparing assignments and for exams in the OU development management courses. Also, I've listed all of the OU development courses I have taken, with my thoughts on each.

• Provide information regarding why I decided to go for a post graduate degree, for those of you who are even barely considering such, as well as for those who might be considering choosing Open University.

• Provide highlights and resources from my final paper for my Master's Degree, regarding "Theater as a Tool for Development."

   these are NOT official Open University Web pages   

about J. Cravens | return to home page | contact me