8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

1/17

Introduction to the

do no harm concept

How to avoid the negatives effects in a

development cooperation action

By Anna Renau Granados

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

2/17

Hippocrates, 460 BC - 370 BC. Aprox.

Illness was the result of an imbalance.

One of the important points of Hippocratic

medicine is the relevance given to the

prognosis.

Hippocratic medicine was humble and passive.

They worried about and take care of thepatient.

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

3/17

Awareness about Development

Cooperation Aid

MonterreyConcensus,

2002

UNMillennium

Declaration2000

UN First

Development

Decade

1960-1070

3rd Level

Forum on AidEffectiveness,

Accra 2008

Doha

Conference,2008

ParisDeclaration,

2005

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

4/17

What is do no harm?

Forward-thinking => Act cautiously

=> Efficiency and effectiveness

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

5/17

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

6/17

What can I do to organize a dinner and

make everybody happy?

Which kind of dinner will be offered: with family, friends or colleagues, different

people do not know each other, couples, with children, etc.

People who will come, have any point in common? Communication will be easy

among assistants?

Depends on which period of the year it can be cold or warm, so I can prepare

light food or something heavier. Seasonal products will be used.

Is everybody available the same day? Or do they have other plans?

There will be anyone vegetarian or allergic to some aliment?

Everything will be offered or everyone may bring something?

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

7/17

Do no harm in development

cooperation

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

8/17

Why

WhereMotivation

Who

Availability

BeneficiariesHow WhenWhat

Aid workers

Culture

Donors

ImpactCoordination

Traditions

Results

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

9/17

Objective:

Positive impact in every field

Aid quality

Without prejudices

Local capacities empowerment ->self-development

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

10/17

Points to take into account to act

according do no harm

Context: Where

Why

When

Action: What

How

Actors Direct Implication Indirect Implication

Evaluation

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

11/17

Context:

Where- Proper and adequate information -> real indicators

- Knowledge of the field-> geographical, social, cultural

aspects... Why

- Motivation from all actors: aid workers, donor countries andreceptors, beneficiaries.

When- Right moment for the implementation.

- Actors availability.

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

12/17

Action:

What- Realistic action in accordance to specific objectives.

- Definition of implementation process, characteristics and

possible problems or unforeseen events.- Cross cutting issues: gender equality, governance, humanrights, environment.

How

- Methodology for each activity.- To include inherent characteristics of the context: culture,ideology, community role of beneficiaries, social andinstitutional relations, etc.

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

13/17

Actors:

Actions implementers -> responsibilities and role to be

developed

Relation with the project

Potentiality and limitations

Direct involvement of beneficiaries in the whole process

Actors with direct or indirect involvement

Consensus all the time

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

14/17

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

15/17

Evaluation:

Evaluation of every element

States the real result of the action

Dissemination results (positives & negatives) -> transparency

Awareness and education of the society

To establish culture of evaluation -> do not be afraid of bad

results

Opportunity to improve

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

16/17

Conclusions:The concept of do no harm can be put into

practice in any context or field.

It is necessary to reinforce local capacities to

assure projects sustainability -> the beneficiaries.

Change of mind-> prevention before action

8/6/2019 Do No Harm_EN

17/17

Thank you.