This book aims to outline the nature and scale of the capacity building challenges facing countries in the Asia Pacific region. It analyses case studies from selected countries with an emphasis on rural development and programs that enhance opportunity and participation in the economy.

Capacity building looks at developing the infrastructure, institutions and people and is critical to the development and participation of humans in the economy and society. Capacity building ranges from schools, roads and hospitals through to health and welfare systems, education, communication and information sharing, participation and voice, governance and opportunity. This book aims to outline the nature and scale of the capacity building challenges facing countries in the Asia Pacific region. Human Development and Capacity Building presents case studies from selected countries with an emphasis on rural development and programs that enhance opportunity and participation in the economy. It focuses on issues arising from women development in Pakistan, indigenous union voice in the French Pacific, job creation programs in Indonesia and the role of international aid and labour agencies in capacity building in Myanmar. The rich coverage will be of invaluable use to those interested in capacity building.

'Rola-Rubzen and Burgess have wonderfully translated the emphasis on capacity building from the field of organisational management to the domain of economic development. Their collection of studies of the successes and failures of development programs and projects in a broad range of Asia-Pacific countries provides a strong foundation for understanding a path to sustainable development based on mobilising local communities. The book should be of great interest to academics, governments and NGOs in understanding the drivers of success in a bottom-up development process.' - Harry Bloch, John Curtin Distinguished Emeritus Professor, School of Economics and Finance, Curtin Business School, Australia '? this book is for you if you are looking for well written case studies that highlight the importance of capacity building for human resource development and the capacity challenges faced in the Asia Pacific region?' - Journal Of Human Development And Capabilities Vol. 18 , Issue 1, 2017