Participation in Poverty Reduction Strategies: A synthesis of experience with participatory approaches to policy design, implementation and monitoring IDS Working Paper. 109, by Rosemary McGee (r.mcgee@ids.ac.uk) with Andy Norton (a.norton@odi.org.uk). May 2000.80 pages. "The World Bank and International Monetary Fund recently endorsed the preparation and implementation of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) by borrower countries seeking to benefit from the enhanced HIPC (Highly Indebted Poor Countries) initiative. Civil society participation in the adoption and monitoring of the PRS is viewed as essential for their sustainability and effectiveness. The purpose of this synthesis is to review the experience to date in applying participatory approaches to macro-level policy formulation, implementation and monitoring, with a view to supporting country-led facilitation of inclusive and high-quality participation in the PRS process. The participatory experiences reviewed are drawn from research initiatives, donors’ country strategies, aid coordination processes, policy advocacy campaigns, institutional change processes, budgetary analysis and formulation, and citizens’ monitoring mechanisms. Section headings: INTRODUCTION, 2 PARTICIPATION IN THE PRS PROCESS, 3 PARADOXES OF OWNERSHIP, 4 INFORMING AND BEING INFORMED, 5 INFLUENCING POLICY THROUGH PARTICIPATORY PROCESSES, 6 ACCOUNTING TO THE POOR , 7 ENSURING QUALITY IN PARTICIPATION, 8 CONCLUDING COMMENTS, REFERENCES (Item 114, posted 12/5/01)