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==Community participation in development== | == Community participation in development == | ||
In recent years development work has shifted from a top-down approach to a bottom-up approach. While sometimes this is rhetoric, there is also a recognition that participation (and preferably initiation) by the community is essential to an effective project. | In recent years development work has shifted from a top-down approach to a bottom-up approach. While sometimes this is rhetoric, there is also a recognition that participation (and preferably initiation) by the community is essential to an effective project. | ||
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==Participatory rural appraisal== | ==Participatory rural appraisal== | ||
'''Participatory rural appraisal''' is a term describing the incorporation of the knowledge and opinions of rural people in the planning and management of development projects and programs. [[Robert Chambers]], a Fellow at the [[Institute of Development Studies (UK)]],<ref name="IISD">See the IIDS page [http://www.iisd.org/casl/CASLGuide/PRA.htm Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)].</ref> has written on this topic, and it is described in the World Bank Participation Sourcebook.<ref>[http://www.worldbank.org/wbi/sourcebook/sba104.htm Participatory Rural Appraisal. Collaborative Decisionmaking: Community-Based Method]. (From ''[http://www.worldbank.org/wbi/sourcebook/sbhome.htm The World Bank Participation Sourcebook], [http://www.worldbank.org/wbi/sourcebook/sba1.htm Appendix I: Methods and Tools].''</ref> | '''Participatory rural appraisal''' is a term describing the incorporation of the knowledge and opinions of rural people in the planning and management of development projects and programs. [[Robert Chambers]], a Fellow at the [[Institute of Development Studies (UK)]],<ref name="IISD">See the IIDS page [http://www.iisd.org/casl/CASLGuide/PRA.htm Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)].</ref> has written on this topic, and it is described in the World Bank Participation Sourcebook.<ref>[http://www.worldbank.org/wbi/sourcebook/sba104.htm Participatory Rural Appraisal. Collaborative Decisionmaking: Community-Based Method]. (From ''[http://www.worldbank.org/wbi/sourcebook/sbhome.htm The World Bank Participation Sourcebook], [http://www.worldbank.org/wbi/sourcebook/sba1.htm Appendix I: Methods and Tools].''</ref> | ||
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See [[Wikipedia:Participatory rural appraisal|the Wikipedia article]] for more information and links. | See [[Wikipedia:Participatory rural appraisal|the Wikipedia article]] for more information and links. | ||
''See also [[Wikipedia:Participatory rural appraisal]]'' | |||
==Three caveats== | ==Three caveats== | ||
Three warnings regarding participation:<ref>based on [http://www.southbound.com.my/communication/parcom.htm | Three warnings regarding participation:<ref>based on [http://www.southbound.com.my/communication/parcom.htm Participatory Communication for Development], 2004, citing White, S.A. (1994). "The concept of participation: transforming rhetoric to reality" in White, S.A. et al (1994) Participatory communication: working for change and development. New Delhi, India: Sage Publications. p.18</ref> | ||
*Participation is not a panacea, and does not suit every circumstance. The mother of a child dying of diarrhea does not want to "participate". | *Participation is not a panacea, and does not suit every circumstance. The mother of a child dying of diarrhea does not want to "participate". | ||
*Beware of manipulation - conscious or unconscious, e.g. when a "participatory social communicator" has preconceived ideas. | *Beware of manipulation - conscious or unconscious, e.g. when a "participatory social communicator" has preconceived ideas. | ||
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== Community power in Turkmenistan == | == Community power in Turkmenistan == | ||
:<tt>In [[Turkmenistan]]'s Karra Kum desert, one of the themes to emerge from early participatory video work was a strong local desire for electricity to improve people's lifestyles and enable them to stay in the desert. Participatory video is again being used as a tool for documenting the challenges and decision-making processes involved in the community-led installation of solar power within different shepherding villages. The solar panels are neither sold nor given to the communities; instead, villagers decided that each family should exchange one ewe and one female lamb for their solar lighting system - these animals become the collective property of the village and are used as a "community action fund"...</tt><ref>from [http://www.comminit.com The Communication Initiative]'s newsletter, ''Environment & Communication - DB Click'', October 31 2006. For more, see [http://www.comminit.com/experiences/pds2006/experiences-3896.html Programme Experiences: Solar Power = Community Power - Turkmenistan], 2006</ref> | :<tt>In [[Turkmenistan]]'s Karra Kum desert, one of the themes to emerge from early participatory video work was a strong local desire for electricity to improve people's lifestyles and enable them to stay in the desert. Participatory video is again being used as a tool for documenting the challenges and decision-making processes involved in the community-led installation of solar power within different shepherding villages. The solar panels are neither sold nor given to the communities; instead, villagers decided that each family should exchange one ewe and one female lamb for their solar lighting system - these animals become the collective property of the village and are used as a "community action fund"...</tt><ref>from [http://www.comminit.com The Communication Initiative]'s newsletter, ''Environment & Communication - DB Click'', October 31 2006. For more, see [http://www.comminit.com/experiences/pds2006/experiences-3896.html Programme Experiences: Solar Power = Community Power - Turkmenistan], 2006</ref> | ||
Revision as of 14:44, 15 November 2009
Community participation in development
In recent years development work has shifted from a top-down approach to a bottom-up approach. While sometimes this is rhetoric, there is also a recognition that participation (and preferably initiation) by the community is essential to an effective project.
This approach is more costly and time-consuming, but is also more cost-effective as it gives much better and longer-lasting results.
Participatory rural appraisal
Participatory rural appraisal is a term describing the incorporation of the knowledge and opinions of rural people in the planning and management of development projects and programs. Robert Chambers, a Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies (UK),[1] has written on this topic, and it is described in the World Bank Participation Sourcebook.[2]
The Institute of Development Studies explains that it builds on rapid rural appraisal (RRA),[1][2] and highlights five central additional concepts and three dangers and drawbacks.[1] The five central additional concepts are
- Empowerment
- Respect
- Localization
- Enjoyment - the emphasis is no longer on being "rapid" but on the process.
- Inclusiveness
Dangers and drawbacks
- "Hijacking" - being used to create legitimacy for an external party.
- Formalism - an abrupt and exploitative approach is common where there is a deadline to meet.
- Disappointment - when expectations are raised and nothing tangible emerges.
See the Wikipedia article for more information and links.
See also Wikipedia:Participatory rural appraisal
Three caveats
Three warnings regarding participation:[3]
- Participation is not a panacea, and does not suit every circumstance. The mother of a child dying of diarrhea does not want to "participate".
- Beware of manipulation - conscious or unconscious, e.g. when a "participatory social communicator" has preconceived ideas.
- Remember the opportunity cost - villagers do not have endless free time, and may be giving up time on productive work in order to participate.
Community power in Turkmenistan
- In Turkmenistan's Karra Kum desert, one of the themes to emerge from early participatory video work was a strong local desire for electricity to improve people's lifestyles and enable them to stay in the desert. Participatory video is again being used as a tool for documenting the challenges and decision-making processes involved in the community-led installation of solar power within different shepherding villages. The solar panels are neither sold nor given to the communities; instead, villagers decided that each family should exchange one ewe and one female lamb for their solar lighting system - these animals become the collective property of the village and are used as a "community action fund"...[4]
Links
- Deep-democracy
- Wikipedia:Participation (decision making)
- Wikipedia:Orangi Pilot Project
- The World Bank Participation Sourcebook
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 See the IIDS page Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA).
- ↑ Participatory Rural Appraisal. Collaborative Decisionmaking: Community-Based Method. (From The World Bank Participation Sourcebook, Appendix I: Methods and Tools.
- ↑ based on Participatory Communication for Development, 2004, citing White, S.A. (1994). "The concept of participation: transforming rhetoric to reality" in White, S.A. et al (1994) Participatory communication: working for change and development. New Delhi, India: Sage Publications. p.18
- ↑ from The Communication Initiative's newsletter, Environment & Communication - DB Click, October 31 2006. For more, see Programme Experiences: Solar Power = Community Power - Turkmenistan, 2006