The Role of Empowerment in Health Development

Published: Nov. 1, 2011, 8 a.m.

b'Many people involved in health outreach in developing nations realize that sustainable improvement requires that the local community be empowered rather than be seen as passive recipients of aid. But there is no clear and commonly held definition of empowerment. What does it mean? How, if at all, can it be measured? What does it take to create empowerment? MAP International and the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University are engaged in research on that topic. In addition to a thorough literature review, they have surveyed 49 global NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and faith-based organizations to learn from their thinking and experience.'