Support the spread of “good practice” in generating, managing, analysing and communicating spatial information The Myth of Community Defining Community and Participation By: Samuel M Musyoki Unit: M04U01

Outline of the presentation Introduction Community complexities Meanings of participation

Introduction How we understand and frame “community” and “participation” highly influences: – how we prepare and engage the communities to participate in the participatory mapping process; –whom we include or exclude in the entire process; –our appreciation of the power dynamic, which is key for participation.

Community complexities A community is a group of interacting people with common: –location; –interests; –ethno-cultural/religious affinity; –language.

Community complexities Assumptions are that a community is: –harmonious; –homogenous; –inclusive; –willing to participate.

Community complexities Participatory mapping could: –enlist different and hostile reactions from different communities; –be easily dominated by the most powerful; –require prior knowledge about community power dynamics and relations that could hinder participation.

Community complexities Who is who within the community? Who decides who should or should not participate? Who participates and why? Who is left out and why? What needs to be done to ensure equal opportunities and support for all to participate?

Meanings of participation The organised efforts to increase control over resources and regulative institutions on the part of the groups and movements excluded from such controls (UNRISD,1979) A process through which stakeholders influence and share control over development initiatives and the decisions and the resources which affect them (WB Participation Learning Group 1995) Enabling people to realise their rights to participate in, and access information relating to, decision making which affects their lives (DFID, Realising Human Rights for Poor People, 2000)

Meanings of participation Typologies: –Passive participation –Participation in information giving –Participation by consultation –Participation for material incentives –Functional participation –Interactive participation –Self-mobilisation