ABSTRACT
Following the end of the Cold War, in the 1990s people-centred development entered the mainstream to challenge and momentarily vanquish economic growth as the purpose of international aid. In the British aid ministry a small number of staff social development advisers working to integrate participation, poverty reduction and gender equality into development projects moved from the margins to take the lead in designing projects where these objectives were central concerns. The idea of social issues in projects originated primarily through the negative impact that large infrastructure schemes, particularly dams, had on people, causing concern about the forced displacement of thousands of people. The concept of civil society resonated equally with two contrasting visions of the society that international aid could help construct. By 1995, social development in the Ministry had established a clear identity with three pillars enhanced participation by beneficiaries in the design and monitoring of projects, a greater poverty focus, and a commitment to gender equality.
