Participatory Learning and Action 25:
PLA Notes 25: Special Issue on Children's ParticipationIIED, February 1996. 94 pp.
Price: US$18.00
Guest Editor: Victoria Johnson
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Summary
The special section of this issue of PLA Notes draws on a workshop held at the Institute of Development Studies in September 1995.The aim of the workshop was to share experiences between people working on child-focused programming and on the use of participatory techniques for research with children. Groups discussed conditions for success and ethical issues; positive and negative experiences of the use of participatory techniques with children; power relations and links with adult power; and how participatory techniques with children fit in with other programme objectives and processes. The issues arising from these group discussions are summarised in the overview paper, while articles are drawn from experiences offered by workshop participants and invitees.
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1. Sharing experiences of participation in Latin America: a workshop report
Costanza de Toma
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Abstract
The article is a summary of the first ever meeting in Latin America amongst participatory development advocates, held in Mexico. The author illustrates how the advent of democracy is generally helping to institutionalise participatory approaches. The roots of participation, in this region, are to be found in Paulo Freire and Orlando Fals Borda. The dangers of diluting 'participation', with increasing institutionalisation, were highlighted at the conference.
2. PRA for risk reduction: lessons from Mozambique
Ailsa Holloway and Diane Lindsey
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Abstract
The article outlines the use of a variety of time-related PRA methods with refugee returnee populations in Mozambique. The aim was to identify people's historical capacity to withstand drought, as well as their vulnerabilities, and to build on these to strengthen them.
3. Retrospective community mapping: a tool for community education
Wilbert Z. Sadomba
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Abstract
The author describes a PRA method, based on an historical perspective, for addressing problems of dependency in the development process. Labelled a 'growth-oriented learning approach', retrospective community mapping is seen to be an effective way of enabling people to understand historical cause and effect in their present situations. The author found that the method created a strong sense of common identity and cohesion in the Zimbabwean communities with which he worked.
4. Revealing gender differences through well-being ranking in Uganda
Janet Seeley, Januario Nabaitu, Lorraine Taylor, Ellen Kajura, Tanance Bukenya, Elizabeth Kabunga and Fatuma Sembajja
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Abstract
The article, based on experience in Uganda, makes it clear how gender affects the way people interpret and contribute to PRA exercises, in this case, well-being ranking. A warning is made against aggregating information given by a 'community', as this will iron out important gender-related perceptions. The need for quantitative data to supplement PRA is seen as important in making factors of difference play a role in research results.
5. Stumbling towards gender-aware PRA training in Indonesia
Judith Dent
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Abstract
The article outlines the importance of gender awareness in any PRA activity. It is noted that PRA techniques lend themselves well to involving different groups within a community, but that attention must be focused on these differences, for instance, in terms of women's availability both as a product of space and time. PRA training that is adapted to a gender-focused approach is being devised.
6. Staff perceptions of the impact of PRA on MYRADA's Work
Robert Leurs
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Abstract
The article presents an account of staff perceptions of the impact of PRA on the work of the Indian NGO MYRADA, and on the communities involved. Staff noted that the planning stages of projects had become more participatory in their approach, but that in terms of evaluation, projects were still donor driven. The problems of separating cause from effect in impact analysis are also highlighted.
7. Facilitating PRA amidst war: experiences from Sierra Leone
Ann C. Hudock
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Abstract
In conflict situations there is a special difficulty in, and approach needed for, gaining a community's trust. The separation of conflict situations and development is problematic and the author argues that PRA exercises must be adapted to the context of conflict to ensure the appropriateness of interventions.
SPECIAL ISSUE:
Children’s participation
8. Introduction: starting a dialogue on children's participation
Victoria Johnson
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Abstract
This is an overview paper of a workshop held at the Institute of Development Studies concerned with participatory techniques and children. The main topics considered in the article revolve around these participatory techniques and the conditions for their success, the ethical issues involved, positive and negative experiences of the use of these participatory techniques with children, connected power relations and links with adult power and the broader institutional context surrounding projects with children.
9. Children's rights and the changing face of work in the field
Brian Milne
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Abstract
The article discusses some of the implications of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) as adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1989. Focussing on India and Nepal, the author highlights both what the human rights of the child are seen to be in the terms of the Convention, and in the terms of local populations. By including children in research and programme implementation now, then in the future, when states are more willing to allow for greater participation, NGOs and research institutes will be able to provide valuable information.
10. Children as special citizens
Louise Chawla and Anne Trine Kjørholt
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Abstract
The article looks at two case studies, one in Norway and one in USA, so as to assess some of the ways in which children can or cannot be brought into planning processes. The author argues that there is a need to reconsider children as citizens and as a resource for development.There is also a need for adults to balance too much interference with too little.
11. Institutionalising children's participation in development
Michael Edwards
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Abstract
The article focuses on the possibility and practicability of involving children in programme development, using participatory research and planning techniques. It is based on experiences of Save the Children Fund (SCF-UK). The article outlines reasons why participation by children makes adults uncomfortable, relates how SCF has tried to promote children's participation in its own work and addresses the difficulties encountered.
12. Action research with street children: a role for street educators
Olga Nieuwenhuys
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Abstract
The article considers the case of using participatory action research to identify the research needs of street children. The authors started a series of workshops and seminars that helped in setting goals and priorities for a research programme with street children. It was realised that there was a gap between children and the experts who work with them, and that this could only be closed through on-the-job training of street educators. The paper discusses the design of a project to meet this need, and the training of the street educators. It mentions that children and educators are sources of knowledge and have their own tools which they use in understanding the world.
13. PRA with street children in Nepal
Rachel Baker
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Abstract
The article describes some PRA methods used with street children in Nepal which are considered to be potential channels through which the health experiences and perceptions of children can be fed into policy and programming. Research on children's health seeking behaviour and reasons why they cannot always access appropriate resources is highlighted.
14. Participatory interactions with children in Nepal
Pashupati Sapkota and Junita Sharma
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Abstract
This article considers the participation of children in development, and describes some participatory methods being used with children in Nepal. Some methods (e.g. mobility mapping, drawings, activity profiles) are described in the paper. The advantages and disadvantages of using the methods are also mentioned. The article emphasises the need to understand children, their roles and responsibilities, if they are to participate in development. In carrying out some of the exercises with the children, it was observed that children gain more confidence and felt secure when working in a group.
15. Whither children's hour? An experimental PRA among labouring rural children
N. Narayanasamy, B. R. Dwaraki, B. Tamilmani and R. Ramesh
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Abstract
A three-day workshop was held to: 1) explore whether different PRA methods could be used with children and,
2) to examine whether children have an understanding of the various dimensions of family and social life. The workshop was made up of 75 children participants. Some of the PRA exercises carried out and their objectives are described. It was observed that children who participated in the workshop were reluctant to talk initially, but with time the initial hesitation disappeared. The article also mentions that the PRA exercises made a significant impact on the children's life. Some moved from child labour and went back to school.
16. Children and participatory appraisals: experiences from Vietnam
Joachim Theis
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Abstract
An outline of Save the Children Fund's (SCF) work involving children in participatory needs assessments and evaluations to better understand children's lives. Another area explored is the development of practical methods of communicating with children and involving them in information gathering and analysis, and in decision-making.
17. Young people, participatory research and experiences of leaving care
Andrew West
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Abstract
This article is about a participatory research project run by Save the Children - UK (SCF - UK). The research examined the experiences of young people leaving care. The research was carried out by young people themselves, who had recently left care, and involved five projects across England. The process of developing the research is outlined, with some indication of the findings and reflections emerging from this example of participatory research.
18. Teenage facilitators: barriers to improving adolescent sexual health
Tilly Sellers and Martin Westerby
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Abstract
The article describes experiences using PRA techniques for research with people between the ages of 13 and 16 to assess perceived problems with teenage pregnancies and with accessing birth control services. The research process itself needs to be aware of the ethical problems associated with participation of minors and the need for consent at different levels - parental, institutional (e.g. school) and of the children themselves.
19. The process of empowerment: lessons from the work of Peace Child International
David Woolcombe
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Abstract
The article considers the degrees of empowerment that can be achieved through the co-creation of plays between children and a director. Also outlined are ten principles to guide the process of empowerment. The importance of responsibility is highlighted in relation to this process.
Problem hat
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