What We Do
Our approach is to work with people, in groups and as individuals, to help them build their awareness of their situation, see it in a wider context, explore options, make decisions and then move towards a chosen future. We believe that change is a key feature of everyone’s reality and that each of us has an active role to play in shaping the future – be it our personal future or that of an organisation or community.
PDA uses a broad range of methodologies, most of which enable a high degree of participation and interactive, experiential learning. Our practice is especially inspired by Freirian approaches and also places a premium on creativity and innovation. We are conversant with a number of well-known development approaches including Appreciative Inquiry, Open Space Technology, World Café, Most Significant Change and Participatory Rapid Appraisal. We seek always to adapt and experiment with each unique set of circumstances, combining and drawing selectively on a range of tools and approaches as each process unfolds.
We are committed as an organisation to realising a proud and prosperous future for Africa, building on its own history and indigenous systems. We seek to work with others to find a path that celebrates our strengths, and critically engages with our weaknesses.
Internally, we seek to work with our own change too – as practitioners, as colleagues and team members, and as an organisation as a whole. We believe that in any encounter we have with partners and clients we are all affected by our work together and we seek to make this as positive an experience as possible for each person.
In pursuance of this, the following units were established
– PDA Research, Evaluation & Learning
– PDA Africa
– PDA Communications and Advocacy
– PDA Finance and Administration
– PASE
–PDA Support Services