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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