Facilitating Multi Stakeholder Processes and Social Learning Herman Brouwer/ Karèn Verhoosel Centre for Development Innovation Participation Visit://portals.wi.wur.nl/msp//portals.wi.wur.nl/msp

Exercise Ladder of participation Each participant gets 1 typology card; 3 groups Stand in a line from low to high level of participation Reflection Why are you at this position? Discussion of each level

Questions How can these 7 levels of participation be used in an MSP setting? (as they were made for community participation) Participation: Who? When? How?

7 levels of participation Passive participation People participate by being told what to do. Participation by information giving People are answering questions but have no influence on planning. Participation by consultation People participate by being consulted; their view might modify planning. Participation for material incentives People participate in return for e.g. cash or land, but only during implementation of a plan of project. People have no stake in prolonging activities when the incentives end. Pretty, 1995

7 levels of participation Functional participation People participate by forming groups to meet predetermined objectives; no participation in early stages; these groups might become self-dependent. Interactive participation People participate in joint analysis, which leads to action plans and the formation of new local institutions or strengthening of existing ones; these new institutions take control over decisions. Self mobilisation People participate by taking initiatives independent of external institutions Pretty, 1995

The ‘participatory’ jargon Process Management Community / citizen participation Interactive decision making Participatory processes Adaptive management Co-management Multi-stakeholder processes Dialogue Public private partnerships Social / societal learning

Need for participatory learning Increased impact: dealing with real problems, real needs, especially as felt by the most vulnerable Perspectives on problems, visions, solutions from all relevant stakeholders are included, not just from ‘outsiders’: increased effectiveness increased efficiency increased sustainability

Philosophy of learning If I hear it, I forget it If I see it, I remember it If I practise it, I understand it If I discover it myself, I own it for life

The dog ….

Lessons from Agricultural Extension Researcher Extension OfficerFarmer A Technology Transfer System Researcher Extension Officer Farmer An Action Research / Learning System

10 Golden rules for participation Be clear about the level of participation expected and the implications for the process Be well prepared Build trust and good interaction Make the purpose clear (be ethical), don’t raise false expectations Have a good flow of open ended and analytical questions Use visualisation methods to enhance understanding Listen carefully Ask for the evidence and reasons behind what people say Cross check (triangulate) information Make sure stakeholders get feedback from the work

At initiation and … throughout Collaborative Action Adaptive Planning Initiating Reflective Monitoring

Is more participation always good? Well, no. Adam Kahane (2010) Power and Love – A Theory and Practice of Social Change On the need to balance ‘power’ and ‘love’ in multi- stakeholder change processes.

Adam Kahane’s argument: Some MSPs lose energy when they over- emphasise the need for collaboration. > too much ‘love’ Other MSPs fall apart because people hold on to their own perspectives and interests. > too much ‘power’. Therefore, we need to balance the two in order to create truly generative MSPs.

What does Kahane mean with power & love? Power = the drive of everything living to realise itself, with increasing intensity and extensity Love = the drive towards the unity of the separated “Power without love is reckless and abusive and love without power is sentimental and anemic” - Martin Luther King jr (1967)

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