“Managers tend to treat organizations as if they are infinitely plastic. They hire and fire, merge, downsize, terminate programs, add capacities. But there are limits to the shifts that organizations can absorb.” IfsLiteratureFireLimitsCapacityProgramOrganizationTreatsAddManagersPlasticDownsizing Author:Kevin Kelly
“We have emphasized the importance of applied action research because it allows evidence-based policy and program development and a focus on learning. We are also committed to using a participatory approach in which local people, local program managers and providers, local researchers, women's health activists, and national decision-makers play the leading role. International "experts" from technical assistance agencies or universities can make important contributions, but they certainly don't have all the answers.” PeopleImportantPlayActionDecisionAnswersRolesFocusPolicyDevelopmentApproachResearchEvidenceProgramImportanceUniversityInternationalCommittedLocalsManagersExpertsAgencyContributionActivistMakersAssistanceResearchersProvidersDecision MakersImportant ContributionsWomen's Health Author:Ruth Simmons
“High level policy makers and program managers do not normally listen to the voices of local people, local providers and local program managers when they make decisions about contraceptive introduction or other aspects of program development in reproductive health.” PeopleVoiceDecisionLevelsPolicyDevelopmentAspectProgramLocalsManagersMakersIntroductionHigh LevelProvidersContraceptivesPolicy MakersReproductive Health Author:Ruth Simmons
“If instead policy makers and program managers participate in an interdisciplinary assessment team, make informal visits to local families and have in-depth conversations with local providers and health authorities, the real needs and complex challenges of organizing good reproductive health services become apparent.The first country that implemented this participatory program of assessment, research and policy development was Brazil. I was one of the outsiders who provided support to the initiative.” IfsNeedsFirstsRealCountryChallengesSupportTeamPolicyDevelopmentConversationAuthorityResearchProgramComplexesDepthLocalsManagersMakersInitiativeOutsidersAssessmentBrazilProvidersPolicy MakersReproductive HealthHealth ServicesInterdisciplinary Author:Ruth Simmons
“The museums used to be exhibition halls for government propaganda, and now every city wants to build a museum. A few thousand are to be built in the next few years, all using taxpayer money. But there is no system, no research, no content, no good programs, no good managers.” WantYearsGovernmentUsedNextCitiesThousandResearchBuiltProgramUsed To BeManagersPropagandaGood ManHallsMuseumsTaxpayersExhibitionsGood Manager Author:Ai Weiwei
“If policy makers and program managers participate in an interdisciplinary assessment team, make informal visits to local families and have in-depth conversations with local providers and health authorities, the real needs and complex challenges of organizing good reproductive health services become apparent.” IfsNeedsRealChallengesTeamPolicyConversationAuthorityProgramComplexesDepthLocalsManagersMakersAssessmentProvidersPolicy MakersReproductive HealthHealth ServicesInterdisciplinary Author:Ruth Simmons