In every village and every urban slum that I have visited around the world, I have beenprofoundly moved and impressed by the spirit, will, creativity, and determination of people to liveand provide for their families, even in the most difficult circumstances. Our challenge asoutsiders is to find ways of tapping and unleashing the inherent creativity of people to mobilizeresources, come together, and solve their own problems.It is now commonly accepted that participatory approaches and partnerships in developmentare essential for improving the livelihoods of the poor. I am pleased that the Social Developmentand Poverty Reduction groups in the World Bank have collaborated with so many people insideand outside the Bank to pull together methods for supporting the participation of the poor invarious social and political contexts.I commend the cooperative work of the people and groups who have developed thesematerials, and who continue to translate theory and concepts into operational tools. It is throughresults on the ground that we will make a difference in the lives of the poor. I encourage others todo the same.