|
|
| français - Español |
|
 |
| idrc.ca HOME >
Publications >
IDRC Books >
All our books >
PARTICIPATORY DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION >
|
ID: 30941Added: 2003-05-30 14:27Modified: 2004-11-06 20:53Refreshed: 2009-01-08 00:15 
|
|
Document(s) 14 of 16
IntroductionSince they were first colonized and later experienced independence, people, particularly those at the village community level, were accustomed to responding to, implementing, and following orders that came "from above," without understanding the reasons why.The "provider" state also kept these people in a state of total dependency; this was also the way international donors operated, who, in turn, made them accustomed to receiving "manna from heaven." Hence, what this approach involves is to find ways to assist these people without making judgements as to who has been right or wrong, to become involved, or to get them involved in all the decisions that relate to them. This can only be achieved through participatory development communication and basic education, which may also be referred to as development facilitation or self-advancement. Training NeedsEven without the benefit of a scientific investigation, it is obvious that the needs are enormous. A quick review of the approaches used by development staff of the state and even the majority of NGOs is sufficient to indicate that these approaches are generally directive, "popularization techniques," which merely consist of transferring knowledge or techniques without any involvement by the receiving party.A similar review of basic institutions also provides an adequate base for concluding that the approaches of the majority of the leaders often comes close to those of dictatorships. In every type of organization, whether state, NGO, or basic institutions, this approach is always justified on the basis of a lack of "democracy." However, it should also be said that the situation could not be otherwise, since everyone working in Africa today has been educated in classical schools, where the principals and teachers were highly coercive. People very often, and without even being aware of it, take revenge for, or behave in the way their principals and teachers behaved towards them. The Target PublicStarting from the needs, it is obvious that any training activity in this area must be directed, first of all, to public and private sector development personnel working with populations at the village community level, with a particular emphasis on female officials. The other target public is the village leaders, or leaders of community organizations.FieldsThe communication training provided in Africa has often been of the highly classical variety, i.e., it involves the transmission of information, or consists of one-way communication. We generally employ people who inform others.What is involved in implementing this approach is the promotion of two-way communication: conducting research on the techniques that could help people at the village community level become more active, involve them more in resolving their problems, and take part in decisions that affect them. In short, what is involved is a process of self-directed development. These techniques can already be identified on the basis of experience in the field, experience from other places, or simply by trying out new techniques on the job and in the field. ProspectsIn Africa, at this time, the development of a multiparty system, which is sometimes wrongly called "democracy" has, nevertheless, prepared the people to become involved in the various changes occurring in their environment.This process has already facilitated the practice, or the introduction, of participatory development communication and basic education. Thus, it would be very useful to undertake action research in this field to change the mental outlook of development personnel. It would also be very beneficial for the people at the village community level, who are very often affected adversely.
Document(s) 14 of 16
|
|
||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| guest (Read)(Ottawa) Login | Home|Jobs|Copyright and Terms of Use|General Infomation|Contact Us|Low bandwidth |
