these are NOT official Open University Web pages   

Experience & explorations in
studying & working in development
-- human, community, institutional & environmental
(with information about aid, relief and humanitarian efforts as well)

This section of my web site is to provide resources for colleagues working in humanitarian / aid / development efforts, as well as to anyone studying such. In other words, development: human development, community development, institutional development, environmental development, country development, etc. (in contrast to its meaning in the USA, where the word development is related to fund raising or software or real estate). When I say development here on my web site, I mean development in terms to capacity-building as a part of humanitarian or aid efforts, as well as economic development of areas experiencing high-unemployment, poverty, even conflict.  (Originally, this part of my web site was a blog about my experience with Open University in pursuit of my MSc in Development Management, 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) My resources for colleagues working in humanitarian / aid / development efforts, as well as to anyone studying such: How folklore, rumors and urban myths interfere with development and aid/relief efforts, and government initiatives, and how to prevent and address such. This was almost my Master's Degree thesis; I decided the data was too helpful not to publish, despite not using it for my degree, and I've continued to research this topic and update this resource. Highlights and resources from the research for my final paper for my Master's Degree, regarding the non-artistic elements necessary for success in "Theater as a Tool for Development" initiatives. Women's Access to Public Internet Access, a resource I developed through research & experience to support the development of women-only Internet centers/technology centers/etc., or women-only hours at such public Internet access points, in developing and transitional countries. Empowering Women Everywhere - Essential to Development Success, a list of research and articles (none written by me) that confirm that empowering women is essential to development success and highlight the very particular challenges to women's access to education, health care, safety and economic prosperity. Additional submissions welcomed. Basic Fund-Raising for Small NGOs in the Developing World, a guide I developed a decade ago and regularly update. Requesting NGOs have been based primarily in Africa and Asia. A comprehensive list of questions to answer in preparation for reporting to donors, the media & general public. I developed this with a colleague in Afghanistan, to help the local staff at the government ministry where we worked know what information donors and UN agencies regularly asked for, and what we anticipated they might start asking for; what subjects the media regularly asked about or reported on, and what we anticipated they might start asking about or reporting on; and what information could be used for evaluation purposes later. It was part of our many efforts to build public sector staff communications capacities in Afghanistan. The positive effects of sustainable development and alternative tourism and ways to cultivate efforts that support tourism as a part of sustainable development efforts. This is something that has been of interest to me for several years, and something I continually research on my own. How to take photos in a culturally-sensitive manner, particularly with regard to respect for local customs regarding women, and to meet various needs, e.g. to show female participation. This resource was developed in 2007, for Afghan staff working out of an Afghanistan government agency, and is adaptable for various cultural settings. A presentation for Afghan women on public speaking. This resource was developed in 2007, for Afghan female staff working out of an Afghanistan government agency, and is adaptable for various cultural settings. Motorcycles and development/aid/relief & volunteer efforts. I'm a motorcycle rider. I'm a development worker. It's not something you can combine in the PeaceCorps, but it is something many people helping others in developing countries do combine, and this resource reviews how it's done.

Also see

• A list of my work in development.
• 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.
• 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.
• Read more about my capacity-building work.
• Read more about my core professional competencies.
• Read more about my credentials and expertise.

I am always interested in networking with other professionals and students engaged or formerly engaged in development studies, with OU or other universities, or working in humanitarian, aid, relief and development in areas similar to my own experience and interest. If you are working or studying in initiatives that relate to the subjects of the resources I've listed above, I would love to hear from you, or interact with me via any social networking platform I'm on. If you are a woman who will be working in Afghanistan or any other post or current conflict area or area that is particularly religiously-conservative, feel free to write me for advice.

If you want to work or volunteer abroad, see this detailed advice and resources.

Countries I've visited or lived in:
Afghanistan, Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain (England and Scotland), Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Luxembourg, Macedonia (the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (Catalunya and Castilla), Sweden, Switzerland, USA, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City

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 Quick Links 

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The art work and material on this site was created and is copyrighted 1996-2011
by Jayne Cravens, all rights reserved
(unless noted otherwise, or the art comes from a link to another web site).