Resources

We all take economic decisions in our everyday life yet we are led to believe that "economics" is best left to the experts - that it is a beast beyond most people's understanding and control. This book is one representation of the efforts of everyday people to take matters into their own hands. It is a compilation of materials developed by community groups and economic educators who have collectively explored local, national and international systems and dynamics. It represents voices that, like the vast majority of people, don't benefit from economic policies but together say "We can understand economics. We know what is at stake. And we demand a voice at the table of economic decision-making, alongside the lobbyists and politicians". The book is divided into five sections:

À Popular Patterns (in our experience)
À Threading it Together: Activities
À The Fabric of our Work: Issues and Analysis
À Expressions (of our discontent): Using Multi-media Creatively
À Resources: Individual and Organisational Contacts

The purpose of the book is to share these activities with other people in the interest of economic and political empowerment. It aims to get rid of confusing language and put economics into terms that everyone can easily understand. It provides copious tools: it is full of activities that encourage involvement, understanding, learning and action.

Throughout the development decades, most professionals have been confident in imposing on others their own beliefs, and the policies and programs which follow from them. In many fields this certainty is now seen to be misleading.

This document presents the networking, capacity building and advocacy strategic plan of PRIA (Society for Participatory Research in Asia) from 1997-2000. It offers the history of the organisation and discusses its present role, challenges, mission, strategies, and proposed activities. It also provides an outline of the financial breakdown and needs of the organisation.

This document proposes an approach to sustainable development that includes three environmental care objectives of ecosystem management, meeting basic needs, and community empowerment. It notes a growing consensus that sustainable human development depends mainly on what people in their families and their communities do for themselves. The document argues that under any political or economic system, sustainable development seems to follow a common sequence. Projects move from pilot phase into large scale implementation. It highlights a UNICEF program, "SCALE for human development" and discusses topics such as preconditions for sustainable development, stages of action, and basic principles in sustainable human development, among others.

A discussion of the use of the project benefit-impact matrix and show its use within the context of a project evaluation in the Maldives. The project sought to address the development needs of traditional island communities. A brief account of the process is provided with the group's interpretation of the perceived benefits and impact reflected in a chart. Observations are also made of group dynamics, gender factors and the extent of participation by the group.

In this article, the authors recount the experiences of an NGO, Nepal Water for Health (NEWAH), in helping the community of Lele Mahadev Khola village to manage their water system through maintenance and funding. The activities carried out by the NGO through PAR is detailed with insights on what the PAR approach has been able to achieve.

The article describes the state of the water management system in Pakora, Pakistan when the PAR team made forays to assess the situation. Information on the process adopted by the PAR team is recounted and the response from the community is included on key issues such as the committee and transparency and record keeping. The article concludes by providing evidence of improvements to the water management system and assessing the gains made by the community.