GRM NEWS
GRM's first Group Conference in London:“Development Learning in Transition Environments”
London, 19 October 2005 --- GRM held its first ever group conference for about 50 participants at the British Consultants and Construction Bureau (BCCB) in Westminster.
 Client representatives, independent consultants and participants from partner organisations discussed program and project management experience and explored the interactions between managing consultants, their host countries and clients.
Eight presentations based on written papers were given by GRM staff members, visitors from the Effective Development Group, and project team members. The papers are soon to be published on GRM's website.
A variety of projects were considered. Sectors discussed in presentations ranged from rural advisory services through health and tourism to governance, focusing on the conference theme, "Development Learning in Transition Environments".
Janee Crane, GRM UK General Manager, said: "It is extremely rare for a development management conference of this kind to be hosted by a consultancy organisation rather than by an academic institution."
"The conference was a unique opportunity for development practitioners to understand the wide range of GRM project management experience."
GRM was fortunate to have Kevin Clements, director of the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (ACPACS), as its key note speaker. Professor Clements helped participants to grapple with the theoretical underpinning behind the concept of transition. He introduced an innovative holistic approach to development analysis that spanned the fields of psychology, social development, economics and politics.
The range of participants ensured profound firsthand experience of managing large-scale donor-funded projects, and it was striking that the importance of a 'people-centred' approach to development dominated discussions.
Good relationships and networks of influence were thought to be critical for delivering effective results with respect to project and program objectives. In certain contexts, quipped one presenter, even chickens can be deemed to be politically important. Although light in tone, this comment highlighted the complexity of development interventions in transition environments. Development practitioners need to 'unlearn' in order to learn afresh, urged the facilitator of one of the group discussions.
Initial feedback from participants suggested that the event was an extremely valuable exercise and one that should be repeated. Praise must go to all presenters and facilitators who made the event so interesting and thought-provoking for those involved.
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