Resources

The author describes PLA approaches as a set of recipes for the field of Participation. The purpose of this article is to describe another such recipe called "Imagine" which is a version of Appreciative Inquiry. This begins with a group asking appreciative questions then using those questions to talk to a wider group. Their answers are developed into provocative propositions (challenging statements about how the future should be) and these are presented to the wider group of people who need to be involved in making them come true. The article first describes the whole process, then illustrates the various stages and finally reviews it's strengths and weaknesses.

This report documents a Community Mapping project that was carried out in estates in Brighton, Coventry and Leicester in the UK. The project was co-ordinated by Sustain: The Alliance for Better Food and Farming, in partnership with Oxfam's UK Poverty Programme, and Development Focus. This report summarises the process, findings and outcomes of the Community Management project. Participatory appraisal methods were used in the process, to generate a clearer understanding of how food poverty affects people in different ways, and for different reasons; these methods and findings are elaborated on in the document. The methods also shed light on what could be done, and by whom, to solve problems with food in the community. Accordingly, recommendations for particular policy areas are made.

The authors observe that the popularity of participative methods in SÚnÚgal had initially resulted in the discrediting and exclusion of conventional research methods. As the complementarity of the research tools is what leads to quality research, the authors stipulate the need for successful integration of quantitative and qualitative tools. An example of successful research incorporating both aspects is given through the description of a methodology applied over two years in seven countries: the Child Focus Habitat Need Assessment. A main finding of this methodology is the important contribution children make in terms of providing an understanding of domestic and village space. Les auteurs remarquent que la popularitÚ des mÚthodes participatives au SÚnÚgal a initialement discrÚditÚ et exclut les mÚthodes de recherche dites conventionnelles. ╔tant donnÚ que la complÚmentaritÚ des outils d'investigation influence la qualitÚ de la recherche, les auteurs mettent en avant la nÚcessitÚ pour toute recherche d'incorporer des outils qualitatifs et quantitatifs. Un exemple de recherche ayant incorporÚ ces deux dimensions est illustrÚ par le Child Focus Habitat Need Assessment, une mÚthodologie appliquÚe pendant deux ans dans sept pays. Un des enseignement principal de cette mÚthodologie et l'apport considÚrable des enfants en ce qui concerne l'espace domestique et celui du village.

The search for valid and reliable indicators of household food and nutrition security has recently brought about innovations in participatory and qualitative indicators. This paper describes two of these. One is an indicator of household food security that relies on the frequency and severity of consumption-related coping strategies and on perceptions of sufficiency. The other is a participatory analysis of the determinants of malnutrition in children, using a concept mapping technique. Both approaches are described and discussed, particularly with localised applications. The article concludes by discussing the advantages of these indicators, and some of the problems and challenges associated with them.

This article focuses on work with street children, through the Theatre of the Oppressed in Brazil. It follows the story of a particular theatre group formed for street girls and boys in 1993. For the young people involved in the theatre production, this medium became a way to challenge society's perception of them, and to demand recognition of their worth. In particular, Forum Theatre, theatre with audience participation, is used. The difficulties encountered are described, including occasions of personal awareness and learning.

This is the second volume of the series 'Learning to Shareà' in which development practitioners continue to share lessons learnt from the field in the area of community participation. The experiences described in this book are all based in India and cover such topics as participatory eco-restoration, women's food calendar, participatory livestock development, participatory forestry, participatory village profile, bio-diversity monitoring, participatory need assessment, children's perceptions of livelihood and participatory impact assessment. See also, Volume I, shelf location 3171

The concept of children participating in politics as citizens in their own right is rarely considered. Due to the wide acceptance that children can not competently contribute to political life, they have been excluded at all levels of political processes in society. A seminar was convened to assess and challenge these widely held notions about children and politics.
The four papers, read at the seminar make up the bulk of this document. Marta Santos Pais paper gives a description of the almost universally ratified United Nations international human rights treaty - the Conventions on the Rights of the Child - which has provided fresh impetus for rethinking the role of children as valuable citizens. Some aspects of the treaty are regarded in more detail and emphasize issues such as participation as a right not a duty, freedom of expression, and a child's right to information.
Judith Ennews paper discusses how one can define citizenship in childhood, with the key question of 'What does it mean (if it means anything at all) to be a child citizen? Thirdly, Roger Hart argues that we need to give more recognition to the informal community structures and processes that support families and children, and to the many ways in which local government can support communities in creating environments that fulfil children's rights.
The final paper, by Emma Rothschild focuses on the political rights of children in historical perspective. By examining earlier disputes over the extension of political rights to children and other marginalized groups, the author suggests that modern discussions on the rights of children may be illuminated.
The final part of the document brings together all of the papers mentioned above in order to establish critical insights gained and emerging issues. Proposals are put forward as to what participation actually is, what it requires, the nature of political participation and children's role in civil society.