This blog post by Ben Ramalingam (ALNAP) argues that with the devastating Haiti earthquake still fresh in our minds, this is the time to reflect on the underlying theories that shape the way “we think about disasters, how we understand the aftermath, and how we carry out international aid work.” He provides a facscinating overview of the complexity sciences and how they can inform our understanding about the dynamics of crises, a first step in framing appropriate and locally-relevant disaster response programmes.
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The deadline to submit cases for the "Capacity is Development" Knowledge Fair in Marrakech in March 2010 has been extended as follows:
5 February for cases on CD investments at sub-national level, in post-conflict and transitional situations, or for building resilience of middle-income countries is formally open until 5 February 2010 (visit website...)
Mid-February for cases on South-South Cooperation and Capacity Development (visit website...)

This INTRAC paper, published in December 2009, introduces the scope of, and rational for, engaging in advocacy work as part of development interventions. It then focuses on the issue of monitoring and evaluating these efforts – offering reasons why and when these processes should be planned and implemented, what’s involved, and who should be engaged in the process. Download paper