3. 4. Working together: community-research team interactions


It is crucially important that the outsider's team begin to build rapport with the community prior to data collection and analysis. One of the first priorities is to clearly explain the purpose of the exercise and the methods to the villagers, including the distinctly different approach of the villagers as experts and the outsiders as students and learners. The outside team should emphasise that it has come to learn from, with and by the villagers. It should stress that its main role is to help communicate the villagers' knowledge, needs and ideas to the relevant government departments. The outcome of the PRA should provide a basis to negotiate improved wetland management plans that respond to locally defined social and ecological priorities. At the same time, the outsiders should be careful not to raise community expectations that the research will result in development projects in the area.

Even after the team has been introduced to the village and becomes well established, the outsiders should always remember to introduce themselves and explain the purpose of their visit when entering new households or neighbouring villages. Each time outsiders encounter a new group, time should be allocated for building rapport and creating a relaxed atmosphere to learn about wetland use from the villagers. Much of the success of PRA depends on the enabling attitudes and behaviour of outside professionals and institutions.


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