ABSTRACT
The anthropology of development has much in common with the anthropology of aid. It often requires interdisciplinary collaborations, and almost invariably entails interactions between different cultural groups. An important aspect of anthropology of development is to: do what Laura Nader recommended more than decade ago, which is to ‘study up’ and look at larger organizations, processes and policies. Anthropology provides the ability to think critically, analytically and objectively and to apply these attributes to everyday problem-solving within a professional environment. Moreover, anthropological understanding enhances one’s ability to act with diplomacy when working with people who have conflicting opinions or outlooks. The Participatory Research Appraisal movement draws its basic methodology from anthropology. In addition to highlighting the issues of social justice that these conflicts raise, anthropologists have argued that cultural diversity is as important as biodiversity, not just for the well-being of human populations, but also because it may be more effective in maintaining other species.
