Resources

The Gamba Protected Areas Complex (GPAC) in Gabon is an Integrated Conservation and Development Project designed to conserve ecosystems in the Guinea-Congo Basin and promote sustainable natural resource development. This article presents a socioeconomic survey undertaken by members of the local community using PRA techniques. The objectives of this survey were to determine the boundaries of terroirs villageois (buffer zones within which sustainable use of natural resources would be permitted), gather qualitative and quantitative information on the life of rural communities living in this area and develop the rapport needed for participatory management. The article outlines some of the PRA tools used aswell as emphasising the need to allow time to build rapport and trust within communities. It highlights the importance of using both qualitative and quantitative approaches in the Gamaba Complex through two examples, firstly, geographic positioning and delimiting of terroirs villageois and secondly, measuring damage caused by elephants to food crops.

Aerial photographs were used as the focus for discussions about land use practices in an area of Kenya. Details are given of how the photographs were taken. The photographs helped to reduce spatial biases, such as the tendency for field workers to walk along the contours and along ridges. They also seemed to "confirm what made sense intuitively" in terms of land use options. During household interviews, people seemed happy interpreting the photographs though they were mostly literate and had seen aerial photographs before.

This paper surveys public participation policies across a range of international institutions and environmental agreements to better understand whether opportunities exist for meaningful participation in international decisions that affect the environment. It examines the implementation of Principle 10 in the Rio Declaration, supported by the Aarhus convention which details measures countries must take to ensure that citizens have access to information, participation, and justice in decisions that affect the environment. It looks specifically on how Multilateral Development Banks, Multilateral Environmental Agreements, and trade regimes and regional economic bodies have lived up to these goals. Co-produced by WRIÆs (World Resources Institute) International Financial Flows and the Environment Program (IFFE) and The Access Initiative (TAI), the survey concludes that: Policies on public participation are quickly becoming the norm; Public participation at the national level is uniformly weak; domestic stakeholders have limited ability to influence international decisions that affect their environment; Institutions and agreements subject to the greatest public scrutiny have the most advanced public participation policy frameworks; A common methodology is needed to assess the implementation and practice of public participation. This analysis provides the reader with an overview of where multilateral institutions are contributing to the development of effective public participation, and the extent to which opportunities exist in domestic and international political spheres for affected parties and the interested public to incorporate sustainability concerns in multilateral decision-making processes.

This book reviews the key successes and challenges in achieving a truly participatory process of policy making. It is a handbook of participatory tools used to prepare IndiaÆs National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan under the requirements of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Bringing in multiple perspectives, especially those that usually remain invisible, is a universal challenge to policy processes today. Based on diverse opinions and perspectives, this book moves beyond the general principles of participation to identify precise approaches that work (as well as risks and pitfalls) in including diverse local opinions. A range of successful tools are explained step-by-step to help practitioners adapt and design appropriate approaches for their own contexts. The handbook is structured geographically, looking at Karnataka, Maharashtra, Sikkim and Andhra Pradesh, concluding with a more general look at the national media campaign.

This article shares the author's experiences in promoting gender equality in the æSupport to Generation and Transfer of Agricultural Technology ProjectÆ (PRODETEC) in Nicaragua. They represent important lessons for gender sensitive participatory diagnosis and are applicable to other organisations. The article presents the background to the project, and its two main approaches: farming systems and gender. Rapid gender analysis was carried out at the start of the project and this explored the broad differences between male and female production systems. This is followed by a participatory diagnosis during the planning process phase. The article stresses the need for gender equality in the project, especially in participation in decision making. It offers practical tips on when and how participation may happen. It also offers a clue to increasing female participation as discussion by separate men and womensÆ groups. In conclusion, the article advises that a high or low profile gender approach should be adopted according to what is appropriate and sensitive to the context.