Technical Advisors as Brokers: Translating Gender Equality and Human Rights Policies and Values into Practice in the Water Sector in Nepal

Pamela White () and Juho Haapala ()
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Pamela White: University of Helsinki
Juho Haapala: Aalto University

The European Journal of Development Research, 2019, vol. 31, issue 3, No 14, 643-662

Abstract: Abstract How are development policies, prepared by donors, translated into practice in different social settings? Many modalities are used, but we consider bilateral projects to be a conduit for value change and sustainable development. Our case concerns two bilateral projects with Nepali and international technical advisors. The article discusses the complex scenario that technical advisors must navigate to broker policy ideals into practice. They must respect the intentions and regulatory and normative frameworks of the donor and recipient governments, and the local cultures and realities of the local governments and villagers with whom they work. At the same time, they promote value change in support of gender equality and human rights. This also raises the question of whose values count—those of the donor, Nepalese Government, local participants or the advisors? We argue that technical assistance has an indispensable role in facilitating sustainable, equitable and inclusive rural development outcomes in socio-culturally difficult operational environments.

Keywords: Development cooperation; Technical advisors; Gender equality; Social inclusion; Rural water supply; Human rights; Nepal; Brokers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1057/s41287-018-0173-0

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