Methods for Community Participation: A Complete Guide for Practitioners - Softcover

Bhagawan Rao, Ch; Kumar, Somesh

Softcover

ISBN 10: 8178290723 ISBN 13: 9788178290720

Publisher: Vistaar Publications, 2002

Synopsis

This immensely practical and comprehensive manual covers the concepts, practice and methodology of participatory development, focusing primarily on how to achieve participation. It is rich with insights from the field, particularly from India, China and Nigeria. Among its many unique features are:It provides inclusive methodologies for reaching people. It suggests practical ways of making people s participation a reality. It is designed to suit the needs of those working in diverse development sectors. The author provides space for innovation while encouraging creativity and flexibility. It contains tips on best practices as well as on attitudes and behaviour, while drawing attention to limitations and precautions. It adopts a simple step approach and provides a ready reckoner of 24 methods to suit different development activities and contexts.

About this title

About the Author

Somesh Kumar joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1989, after a brief stint as a psychologist in the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. He is currently District Collector and Magistrate of Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Kumar has worked in various capacities with the most backward communities in Andhra Pradesh and has implemented a number of innovative programs including externally funded participatory development projects. He has also served as Director of the PRA Division of ActionAid India (1996-2000). As its first chief executive, he established Praxis Institute for Participatory Practices, Patna, as a centre of excellence in participatory development. A leading PRA practitioner, Somesh Kumar has contributed significantly to the repertoire of PRA methods. He has conducted extensive training programmes in participatory development in India and abroad for grassroots activists and senior level NGO professionals as well as for government agencies in varied fields. Mr. Kumar has written a number of articles and edited various books and reports on the subject including the popular "ABC of PRA:Attitude and Behaviour Change" and "The Politics of Poverty: A Tale of the Living Dead in Bolangir". As a team leader, he has conducted a number of large participatory research studies, evaluations and Participatory Poverty Assessments (PPAs) for agencies like the World Bank, DFID, and IFAD including the World Bank’s India country study ‘Consultations with the Poor’ which informed the Human Development Report 2000-2001.

Robert Chambers is Research Associate, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex and the author of Participatory Workshops (2002) and Ideas for Development (2005).

Edition details

• Publisher: Vistaar Publications
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 8178290723
• ISBN 13: 9788178290720
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336