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The SEEP Network has partnered with Pollen Group to offer an introductory course on inclusive market systems development (MSD) in thin markets, in contexts such as post-conflict, environment related emergencies, and highly underdeveloped markets with limited or distorted private sector engagement. The training will strengthen practitioner application of systems-thinking and facilitative approaches to program design and implementation. The outcome of this course is a more comprehensive understanding of how to instigate systemic change in thin markets, leading to larger and more sustainable impact.

Throughout the training, participants will engage with a fictional case study based on the experiences of SEEP members implementing MSD programs in thin markets. This case will help practitioners to identify vulnerable groups, analyze thin market constraints, develop intervention strategies that are inclusive of vulnerable groups, identify leverage points for systemic change, and design partner engagement strategies that spur behavior change among public and private market actors.

This training is aimed at mid to senior level managers of market systems programs that may have some familiarity with the approach but have not experienced an in-depth training on market systems, M4P, or facilitation. The training will cover 6 main topics:

1. The foundational concepts of market systems development;
2. Frameworks to shape inclusive strategy and intervention design;
3. How programs can engage in thin market contexts and, within these contexts, target vulnerable or marginalized groups as beneficiaries of systemic change interventions;
4. Tools and tactics on how to engage market actors while promoting ownership and sustainability;
5. M&E for systemic change;
6. Organizational processes for more flexible and adaptive programming.

Audience

This training is aimed at mid to senior level managers of market systems programs that may have some familiarity with the approach but have not experienced an in-depth training on market systems, M4P, or facilitation.

Participants will gain:

• Strengthened understanding of complex systems, systems-theory, and its application to analyzing problems;
• Increased knowledge of market systems facilitation tools and frameworks to strengthen the design of project intervention strategies;
• Strengthened capacity on the use of facilitative tactics during project activities, including strengthening formal and informal feedback loops to inform learning and planning;
• An understanding of thin markets versus thick markets, and how to engage marginalized and vulnerable populations.

Meet the Trainers:

• Raksha Vasudevan joined Pollen Group Consulting after two years working in the humanitarian sector in west Africa, Europe and the Middle East. As a market development Strategist, she has undertaken market analyses of the livestock sector in northern Kenya and access to digital financial services in West Africa. Previously, Raksha worked with a management consulting firm in Canada and a microfinance NGO in south Asia. Raksha holds a Master’s in Development Studies and a Bachelor’s in Commerce. 
• Christine Livet is a Senior Strategist with Pollen Group Consulting, with extensive experience working with market systems and facilitative programs in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. She specializes in organizational change management, developing performance management systems, and training/mentoring of field staff in market systems and facilitation. Prior to working with Pollen Group (as well as formerly under Engineers Without Borders Canada), Christine worked in the dairy sector in Nepal and with the Canadian donor agency supporting the design of economic growth policies and strategies. She studied international development and economics at the University of Ottawa.

Background

Causing more than 8.2 million deaths annually cancer is one of the top killer diseases of our time. The estimated number of 14 million plus new cases occurring every year is expected to increase by 70% in the next two decades. With the majority of cancer cases and deaths now occurring in low- and middle-income countries Africa is suffering the heavy burden of this serious public health crisis. A large proportion of cancers in Africa is diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease where curative treatment is no longer an option. This is due to the lack of screening and early detection services, as well as limited awareness of early signs and symptoms of cancer among the public and health care providers. Fear of Stigma associated with cancer also plays a role in late-stage presentation of the disease in most parts of Africa. Because many African countries lack adequate number of health facilities that can provide specialized treatment and palliative care, cancer patients are faced with long waiting period and considerable treatment costs that are beyond their economic means. With Cervical and cervical and breast cancers being the leading causes of cancer related deaths in Africa the burden of the disease in women is much worse. Gender inequalities, weak economic power of women and absence of screening and early diagnoses services contribute to the increasing number of preventable deaths of women.

The overwhelming demand for cancer treatment and care, the fragile public health system in many African nations coupled with the absences of national cancer control plan and supportive policy and financial frameworks is causing serious social and economic crises that call for an immediate and coordinated action to prevent and control cancer in Africa.

The Stop Cervical Breast and Prostate Cancer in Africa Conference is one response among many to this alarming situation. The conference is an annual event dedicated to contributing to the efforts of ending Cervical Breast & Prostate Cancer in Africa. The 10th SCCA conference will be held 24 – 27 July 2016 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The conference is organized under the patronage of H.E Roman Tesfaye Abneh First Lady of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The organizational work of the conference is undertaken by dedicated inter-ministerial committees in partnership with Princess Nikky Cancer Foundation.

The theme for the 2016 African Economic Conference (AEC) is “Feeding Africa: Towards Agro-Allied Industrialization for Inclusive Growth”. This theme is timely and in line with the current African and international development agenda. Ending poverty and overcoming hunger and food insecurity permanently come first and second, respectively, in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) endorsed in September 2015 by UN member States. This commitment is also stressed by the African Union Agenda 2063 that recognizes the right of all Africans to be well-nourished and lead healthy and productive lives. Furthermore, the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), as well as the June 2014 Malabo declaration, highlight that a structural transformation of African agriculture is central to growth and poverty eradication on the continent. Consistent with these goals, agriculture and industrialization are at the heart of the work by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and their vision and long-term strategy for a prospered and inclusive Africa.