Relevance: Along with the Government and Corporate sectors, the Development sector plays an integral role in national development by addressing community issues, enhancing democratic citizenship and impacting policy prescriptions. This ‘third sector’ will grow in importance as society advances. There will, however, be key issues, emerging realities & new challenges that will need to be addressed. Simultaneously, there shall be issues of governance, professionalism and institution building that will require focused attention. Equipping ‘leaders’ to be active ‘change agents’ to manage this process in a balanced and nuanced manner shall both be a challenge and a necessity. With these concerns in mind, the Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health (BALM) in collaboration with the Institute for Financial Management & Research (IFMR) has conceptualized & developed a 1 week comprehensive, course in ‘Leadership in the Development Sector – Learning to make an Impact’.

• To provide a broad understanding of the development sector & its relevance in the contemporary world.
• To provide an insight into the domains in this sector along with the issues and challenges that needs to be addressed therein.
• To examine the need to promote leadership & entrepreneurship in the social sector and the required ‘skill sets’ for it. Also, to stimulate aspirations to become ‘leaders,’ & impact meaningful changes in society.
• To gain an understanding of the issues pertaining to governance in the non-profit sector in terms of structures, systems & strategies involved & to deliberate on ‘best practices’ in this sector.’
• To bridge the gap between knowledge and practice in society by exposing the participants to grass root level functioning of institutions.
• To reflect on the practical dilemmas & underlying concerns existing in the respective fields and dialogue on practical solutions to address the issues.

The focus, throughout the course, will be to help the participants develop the ‘mindset’ of a ‘leader’ - capable of designing effective and pragmatic policies to impact meaningful changes in society.

Course Content: The program will cover the following subjects:

1. Overview of Development: Understanding the concept & macro picture, impact of globalization, structural adjustments, developed & developing nations, and contemporary debates.
2. Challenges in Developing nations : Poverty, inequality, marginalization & social sector development; 2b) Domains in the development sector -- Health, Education, Gender, Livelihoods etc.
3. India’s Development Experience: Role of state, social change, five- year plans & socio-economic justice; 3b) Role of civil society & inclusive growth; experience sharing of NGOs -- vision, strategies for growth, challenges, future plans etc.
4. NGO Management, Governance & Strategies: systems, procedures, strategies for growth, political communications, resource mobilization, sustainability & challenges.
5. Leadership & Entrepreneurship in the Development Sector: Need & relevance in contemporary society, required skill-sets, perspectives & opportunities for growth.
6. Multidimensional aspects of Leadership: achieving operational excellence & effective leadership, engagement with multiple stakeholders, succession and sustainability.
7. Field visits: Exposure to grass-root level functioning of livelihood initiatives, panchayat systems, household surveys, SHGs, village schools, health centers, case study of the “Banyan’ model.

Who should participate: This program will benefit all “those who are or want to be leaders and agents of Change.’

More specifically it will benefit senior and middle level managers in the development, Government and the corporate sector who are involved in shaping and implementing projects in their areas of work. Professionals aspiring to become leaders will find this course very useful.

It will also benefit senior international and national students who will learn about the dynamics of development and the skill sets required there in to impact changes.

Class Size: 35 (maximum).

Prerequisite: Applicants must have a Master’s degree from an accredited University / College OR a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 2 years of work experience.

Program Benefits: Through this BALM -IFMR collaboration, this course offers a unique opportunity to link theory with practice and help participants gain a holistic understanding of contemporary realties of development, governance, leadership, social entrepreneurship and civil society. By exposing them to field visits, discussions, brainstorming sessions & public presentations, the course aims to hone their strategic and critical thinking skills, leading them to think of themselves as leaders and active ‘change agents’.

Dates & Venue: June 30 – July 4th, 2008 at the Institute for Financial Management & Research (IFMR), 24, Kothari Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 34, India.

Course Fees:

• INR (Indian Rupees) 7500/- covering training kit, lunches, tea, 1 welcome dinner, village visits.
• 10% discount will be given to rural NGOs and students.
• Cheque / DD: to be drawn in favour of BALM Trust, Payable at Chennai, India
• For participants outside India, the course fee will be $ 300/-
• The fee does not include accommodation. BALM will, however, be happy to arrange for accommodation on request.

Faculty: Eminent faculty members form IFMR, MIDS, CEOs of NGOs, Independent consultants & Practitioners in the development sector along with BALM Faculty shall interact with the participants. The faculty comprises experts in the field of Development Economics & Social Sciences having rich experience. Their expertise which is reflected in their contributions to various journals, seminars & workshops and in the several books authored by them promises a lively and interactive engagement.

Language of instruction: The course will be conducted in English.

Participants will be awarded a Certificate on completion of the Course.

Click here for registration

For further details:
Contact Madhu Sharan - Course Coordinator.

Email: madhu.sharan@thebanyan.org,
Mobile: +919840990694, Tel: +91-44- 42233600/ 26530504.

Website: www.balm.in