Dyer, J. (author), Stringer, L.C. (author), Dougill, A.J. (author), Leventon, J. (author), Nshimbi, M. (author), Chama, F. (author), Kafwifwi, A. (author), Muledi, J.I. (author), Kaumbu, J.-M.K. (author), Falcao, M. (author), Muhorro, S. (author), Munyemba, F. (author), Kalaba, G.M. (author), and Syampungani, S. (author)
Format:
Online journal article
Publication Date:
2014-05-01
Published:
Elsevier
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 32 Document Number: D10619
9 pages., via online journal., The emphasis on participatory environmental management within international development has started to overcome critiques of traditional exclusionary environmental policy, aligning with shifts towards decentralisation and community empowerment. However, questions are raised regarding the extent to which participation in project design and implementation is meaningful and really engages communities in the process. Calls have been made for further local-level (project and community-scale) research to identify practices that can increase the likelihood of meaningful community engagement within externally initiated projects. This paper presents data from three community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) project case studies from southern Africa, which promote Joint Forest Management (JFM), tree planting for carbon and conservation agriculture. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, community-level meetings, focus groups and interviews. We find that an important first step for a meaningful community engagement process is to define ‘community’ in an open and participatory manner. Two-way communication at all stages of the community engagement process is shown to be critical, and charismatic leadership based on mutual respect and clarity of roles and responsibilities is vital to improve the likelihood of participants developing understanding of project aims and philosophy. This can lead to successful project outcomes through community ownership of the project goals and empowerment in project implementation. Specific engagement methods are found to be less important than the contextual and environmental factors associated with each project, but consideration should be given to identifying appropriate methods to ensure community representation. Our findings extend current thinking on the evaluation of participation by making explicit links between the community engagement process and project outcomes, and by identifying further criteria that can be considered in process and outcome-based evaluations. We highlight good practices for future CBNRM projects which can be used by project designers and initiators to further the likelihood of successful project outcomes.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D08345
Notes:
Pages 265-285 in Steve May, Case studies in organizational communication: ethical perspectives and practices. Sage Publications, Inc., Thousand Oaks, California. 402 pages.
Telg, Ricky (author), Irani, Tracy (author), Carter, Hannah (author), Settle, Quisto (author), Goodwin, Joy (author), Wysocki, Al (author), and Association for Communication Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences (ACE)
Format:
Abstract
Publication Date:
2012-06-11
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 186 Document Number: D00614
Notes:
2012 ACE research conference, Annapolis, Maryland, June 11, 2012. 1 page.
Wesseler, Gesa (author) and Brinkman, Willemine (author)
Format:
Paper
Publication Date:
2002
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 164 Document Number: D08294
Notes:
ACDC segment includes only bibliographic information, contents page and introduction. Full text was no longer available at the url 04/16/17., Paper presented at the regional conference on "Agroforestry impacts on livelihoods in Southern Africa: putting research into practice," Aventura Warmbaths, South Africa, May 20-24, 2002. 41 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 151 Document Number: C24481
Notes:
Retrieved July 5, 2006, Conference sponsored by the International Association for Agricultural Information Specialists (IAALD) in Nairobi, Kenya, May 21-26, 2006. Via Livelihoods Connect. 6 pages., Conference theme: "Managing agricultural information for sustainable food security and improved livelihoods in Africa."
Baker, Matt (author), Pomeroy, Carlton (author), Liberato, Ann S.Q. (author), Mashburn, Diane (author), and Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education (AIAEE).
Format:
Paper
Publication Date:
2006-05-14
Published:
Bolivia
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 150 Document Number: C24250
Notes:
Retrieved June 16, 2006, Pages 47-59 in proceedings of the AIAEE conference in Clearwater Beach, Florida, May 14-17, 2006.
