Community-based Rehabilitation in a post-Soviet environment in Azerbaijan – Where Society meets Ideology


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This paper explores UAFA’s experience, since 2002, in working with Azerbaijani stakeholders to move from the medical approach to disability, propagated by the Soviet model of planning and implementation, to a social, community-based approach. The paper highlights the common misconceptions and how these can be overcome, including the policy gaps that challenge effective implementation. The importance of creating and maintaining a core team is discussed, alongside the process that UAFA has developed for building up teams of CBR workers. Finally, the paper raises the issue of introducing outcomes-based evaluation in a society that has no such prior experience, followed by an account of the continual challenge faced by most programmes–namely, how to achieve sustainable funding.

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Authors

Gwen Burchell

Gwen has 18 years’ experience in Azerbaijan, which was preceded by experience in various UK charities. She has a MSc degree in Social Policy & Planning.

She has built up a leading development NGO called United Aid for Azerbaijan (UAFA) that is focused on the long-term development of life in Azerbaijan, with particular focus on children, health and education. Her role in UAFA ranges from fundraising, personnel development, project development and implementation, lobbying at policy-maker level and public campaigning.  She is also currently involved in establishing a private paediatric rehabilitation centre, a social enterprise that models best practices in social rehabilitation.  

How to Cite

Gwen Burchell (2015-10-24). Community-based Rehabilitation in a post-Soviet environment in Azerbaijan – Where Society meets Ideology. Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development, Vol. 26 No. 3 (2015): Autumn 2015, 123-130. https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v26i3.466

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