Community RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DCE3411) Associate Prof. Dr. Roziah Mohd Rasdi Dept. of Professional Development & Continuing Education Faculty of Educational Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia roziah_m@upm.edu.my

Community Development Topic 5 Participation in Community Development

Rationale for Participation in Development Emerged internationally when UN announced that 1961 – 1970 as first development decade 1971 – 1980 as second development decade

Because participation became one of the ingredients in development, to complement the approaches before 1960 which had been too economic oriented. WHY?

Other characteristics of development before the 60s were: Top-down planning of development No two-way communication between people and government Unidirectional of development Bottom up approach of development is necessary. This suggests the need for people participation.

Another two concepts emerged with participation: Process to activate the use of human resources (before they were considered passive) Mobilization Government or authority participates in the planning of program with the agreement of people. Intervention

Characteristics of community participation: Volunteer contribution Involvement of community in decision making, implementation, evaluation and sharing the benefits of development. Exercising the rights of community in problem identification and problem solving An effort to unite people in order to control the utilization of physical and human resources. An effort to operationalise democracy in development Empowering the community

Definition of Participation by ILO (1984) Mass sharing in decision-making Mass sharing in implementation Mass sharing of the benefits of development

Definition of Participation, by ILO (1985): Initiative of community and development planners in the process of decision-making, implementation of program, evaluation and sharing the benefits of development

Definition by Castillo (1986) Membership in community organization Contribution of personal labor, materials and monetary assistance to infrastructural, health and sanitation projects, etc. Patronage of agency Attendance at community assemblies – meeting, courses, workshops, dialogue Cognitive participation – being the recipients of information about community activities.

Factors Contributing to Community Participation: Benefits expected to receive from participation – material gains and non-material gains Availability of organization vehicle for participation organization provides leadership CD programs are planned and implemented organization provides structured rules, procedures and administration used in channelling the resources

When life is being in danger People will react in a group when life is being threatened. E.g.: Due to flood, dengue fever, community work is easy to mobilize. Feeling of responsibility Related to altruism or unselfishness or concern for others This is a social value of wanting to participate E.g.: Involvement of parent in PTA

Knowledge about program Knowledge about any program related to the level of living of community e.g. Education E.g.: Community was united to go against the Mega Project of Bakun Dam in Sarawak because they know the negative impact of the project. This was facilitated by the campaign done by NGOs.

Actors in Participation Actors are those who participate in CD Actors are many, involving many people  popular participation or people participation Who are the actors, depending on the type of programs.

E.g.: Program Healthy Lifestyle for Expecting Mothers Target group (Mothers who are expecting babies), including family members such as husbands Hospital personnel such as doctors, specialists, nurses and support staff. District clinics and the staff

Researchers (IMR, University) Personnel from the Ministry of Health Donor agency (if any) at international level e.g. WHO Community leaders such as VDSC (JKKK)

THE PRACTICE OF PARTICIPATION Some operational issues

Must know the context of participation Context is local environment, that is the social, cultural, political and economic characteristics of the community Specifically – the institutional arrangements supporting the activities the general understanding of the program The previous experience Availability of resources

Preparation People begin to learn how to participate and work with social institution Interaction, dialogue and meeting between community and institutions are necessary Participation increases community empowerment

Project structure The existing local social institutions Types of leadership Any local conflict, or political tension

Objectives of the project What to achieve Objective is jointly formulated and understood by community – feasible and responsible to felt needs

Implementation The mode of implementation is normally unique to each project Requires 2-way communication between community and the organizer Participation occurs through collective action

Participation must be representative of the different segments in the community Budget allocation must be clear according to activities

Resistance or conflict Accordance or resistance are among the responses from the community Community should be prepared as active recipients It is the responsibility of CD workers to reduce resistance / conflict, by first educating the community about the advantages of the project

Training Training is needed for capacity building at the local level Training is for local leaders and community members

Monitoring Monitoring is needed to ensure principles of CD are being practiced Participation facilitates the process of learning

Impact Assessment Measurement of the outcome felt by the community Outcome is in the form of behavioural and institutional changes within the community

Thank You