Resources

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.

The article describes experiences of using an actor-oriented approach to identify pro-poor interventions in chilli and livestock innovation systems in the char lands of Bangladesh. The article first discusses what is meant by an actor-oriented approach, the tools the authors have been developing, and then concludes with some of the issues raised by their experiences in Bangladesh. The authors suggest that the most important contribution that the actor-oriented approach is to help researchers focus on the æwhoÆ and the æhowÆ of the work, rather than getting stuck in the æwhatÆ, æwhereÆ and æwhenÆ issues.

This book presents an in-depth analysis and discussion of participatory research and development in action, with an emphasis on the needs of rural communities in marginal regions of Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, the Philippines, South China, Thailand and Vietnam. In the book, 38 scientists and development practitioners share their multidisciplinary experiences and discuss the relevance, application and pitfalls of participatory approaches to research and development. Most of the chapters have evolved from papers presented at the international workshop: æParticipatory technology development and local knowledge for sustainable land use in Southeast AsiaÆ held from 6-7 June 2001, in Chiang Mai Thailand. The book is divided into 8 key sections: introduction (with an article by Andreas Neef); identifying potentials and constraints of participatory approaches to research and development (including articles by Philippe Lavigne-Delville, Nour-Eddine Sellamna and Marilou Mathieu; Hans-Dieter Bechstedt; and Dieter Neubert); integrating stakeholdersÆ perspectives in research projects in Southeast Asia (including articles by Andreas Neef and Franz Heidhues; Dindo Campilan; and Olivier Tessier et al.); advancing participatory technology development for sustainable land use: methods and approaches (including articles by Bijaya Bajracharya et al.; Olivier Tessier and Patrice Lamballe; and Meine can Noordwijk); assessing GIS-based participatory approaches: opportunities and challenges (including articles by Giacomo Rambaldi and Jasmin Callosa-Tarr; John McKinnon; ad Oliver Puginier); recognising local knowledge in integrated nature resource management (including articles by Michael Fremerey; Laxman Joshi et al.; and Francois Bousquet et al.); institutionalising participatory research and extension in the Southeast Asian context (including articles by Orapan Nabangchang; John Connell; and Vanthong Phengvichith et al.); and conclusions and outlook (with an article by Uwe Jens Nagel et al.).

The most pressing development problem in Cameroon is seen to arise from its politics, rather than it's economy or natural resource base. Processes of democratisation have stalled, human rights abuses are commonplace and the judiciary has been unable to obtain autonomy from the government. Despite recognition by the national constitution, minority groups are regarded as second-class citizens, particularly those without strong attachment to the land such as pastoralists. This includes the Mborooro-Fulani who have been systematically exploited by both state and ômiddlemenö. This paper looks at the work of the Mbororo Social and Cultural Development Association (MBOSCUDA) that was set up in 1992 by the Mbororo people. Now working in partnership with a UK NGO and three local NGOs the organisation aims to protect the rights and promote the culture of all Mbororo people. Politically engaged and using the REFLECT approach, since 2001 the organisation has been focusing on two schemes: paralegal extension (using community volunteers to extend legal advice and services) and legal literacy (acquiring critical awareness of rights and the law). The paper describes how these schemes have developed, and looks at some of the key strategies used such as challenging officials and public embarrassment. Finally it assesses the impact so far, looks at what can be learnt and concludes with a look to the future.