Integral Human Development
Integral Human Development (IHD) is a central component of the CRS agency strategy and the work CRS does with its partners. The concept, founded in Catholic social teaching, affirms that human development cannot be reduced or separated into component parts. Rather, personal well-being can only be achieved in the context of just and peaceful relationships and a thriving environment. It is the sustained growth that everyone has the right to enjoy. Integral Human Development promotes the good of every person and the whole person; it is cultural, economic, political, social and spiritual.
The IHD conceptual framework
CRS developed the IHD conceptual framework in 2003, building on the Sustainable Livelihoods and Livelihood Security frameworks that had been developed by the Department for International Development (DfID) and CARE, respectively.
CRS is about bringing a vision to life, and the IHD concept provides the basis for our vision. The agency’s mission is to serve the poorest and most vulnerable. The IHD conceptual framework is a visual diagram that helps us to understand more clearly the world of the poor, including their strengths and their needs, in order to guide programming. The framework helps to analyze complex situations, to organize information and analyze relationships between people’s livelihood strategies and the context in which they pursue these strategies. It uses people’s strengths as a starting point and helps identify linkages between structures and systems at the macro- and micro-levels, as well as the interactions among them. It is useful in both emergency and development contexts.
Publications library
New publications
- M&E Standards Narrated Presentation
This short narrated presentation on CRS’ Monitoring and Evaluation Standards provides an overview of CRS’ M&E Standards and support tools.
Agua y Conflicto
Una marco conceptual y práctica para los que aplican el desarrollo de agua, los que construyen la paz desde la sociedad civil y los defensores de los derechos humanos en
Rapid Experience of CRS Experience wit…
This rapid assessment reviewed sanitation activities by CRS, in particular the promotion of the Arborloo.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Consider…
This guidance document offers water supply and sanitation facility and hygiene promotion design considerations and recommendations intended to increase access to these facilities by people living with HIV.
Directives pour l’élaboration de petit…
Guide technique général sur les activités de planification et de mise en œuvre de petits projets d’assainissement et eau en Afrique orientale.