Learning to Use Resilience Wisely

Presented by: Andrew Newsham, Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies

Resilience is rapidly becoming influential in development and vulnerability reduction sectors such as social protection, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Policy makers, donors and international development agencies (such as USAID, the World Bank, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the World Food Programme) are now increasingly referring to the term. Drawing on a recent review produced by the Institute of Development Studies, this presentation explored some aspects of the implementation of this new concept. While the review highlights some positive elements –in particular the ability of the term to foster integrated approaches across sectors– it also shows that there are some limitations to be aware of and suggest ways in which these may be addressed.