Resources

This publication by SEWA (Self employed Womens Association), Ahmedabad, India and North South Dialogue, Germany, that examines poverty in a micro context with the methodology of an Exposure and Dialogue Programme (EDP) that is essentially an attempt to understand poverty first hand and record some of the factors that lead to the overcoming of it. The EDPs are used to assist understanding of the situation of SEWA members, appreciation of the womenÆs strengths, and to find strategies to overcome problems. The first part of the publication My home, my workplace: A life of struggle for security presents the story of Kamlaben Koshti, a bidi worker and SEWA leader in Ahmedabad derived from an EPD on Empowerment through organising in 1999. It examines the process leading up to the EDP, with aims of gather experiences that couldbe used for the World Development Report on Poverty, for designing exposures for politicians, and testing the exposure methods for SEWAÆs own purposes. It goes on to give account for the life history of Kamlaben with lessons to be learnt; analyse the relevance of KamlabenÆs life for SEWAÆs policy, programmes and macro policy; and examining the process of meeting Kmlaben and comprehending her life. The second part of the report Struggling for security illustrates the lives of Savitaben Jivanbhai Valand, a midwife in Vihchiya, and Jetunben Razak Sheik, agarbatti roller in Bapunagar, derived from an EPD in 2001. It looks at the life histories of the two women and reflects on exposure, reflection and dialogue as means to understand vulnerability and to learn about risk management.

This manual suggests themes, training methods and activities to facilitators carrying out governance training programmes, giving a foundation in the governance debate and promoting citizenÆs desire and capacity to take an active part in the processes of democracy. The manual is addressed to trainers as a guide in conducting a five-day programme, for groups of 20-25 people, in governance issues. It consists of 14 sessions and applies participatory training methods requiring the participants to analyse situations and express their opinions. The trainers therefore should have special facilitating skills and the ability to synthesise the responses given by participants. The manual addresses the following key issues: the concepts of governance and good governance; the rationale for good governance; how to promote good governance and encourage active citizenship; and the roles of active citizenship and civil society organisations. All sessions are structured and easily accessible, setting out the objectives for trainers and participants, giving indication of the duration of the session, and suggestions for training methods. The session is then explained step by step with suggested timings. The sessions include: citizens and governance; introduction to human rights; civil society; issues faced by citizens; women in governance; overcoming injustices in civil society; active citizenship; civil society organisations; advocacy for civil society organisations; networking; participants as actors; and an evaluation and closing session.

Rather than challenging the universal validity of PRA, this discussion paper focuses on the practical task of "doing PRAs" in a new and alien context. The authors advocate the acknowledgement and acceptance of local cultural trends, power relations and structures of authority when undertaking participatory research. This will allow to work with, rather than around these factors. Hence, the proposed "Vietnamisation" of PRA so as to allow local voices to shape the values and techniques of PRA itself. But, just how Vietnamised can PRA become until it comes into conflict with international liberal PRA values? This broad discussion originated in a workshop organised in Hanoi on Community Research Methods in February and March 1996. The issues covered by the paper include: introducing PRA and PRA values in Vietnamese communities, gender, local leadership and dominance; and international donors and PRA. Methodological issues covered are: sampling, recording of research information, interviews, focus group discussions and mapping.

This book describes a grassroots approach to empowering people for democratic social change. It explains participatory research using exemplarly case studies on community organizing, femist theory and ecological movements from a range of locations in North America. It challenges the relevance and validity of academic social science research.