"The most important point for all types of workshops is that the participation of the representatives of all relevant stakeholder groups is ensured. This goes beyond mere discussion: at some stage there is always the necessity to make binding decisions. At this point, the workshop participants must
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be empowered by their respective organisations and/or groups (constituencies) to make such binding decisions (commitments concerning the use of people, materials, equipment, time, and money).
A second important point for all types of workshops is the recommended use of a team of two facilitators. Years of experience in the context of organisations in the field of development have clearly demonstrated the advantage of having two facilitators rather than only one: a single facilitator simply cannot keep track of all the details of the group processes and, at the same time, keep the discussion focussed along the lines of the previously agreed agenda. Therefore, it is essential that the two facilitators compare their perceptions in the breaks between sessions and take turns in facilitating. Their perceptions thus gain in objectivity and their activity is less influenced by the emotional and cognitive strain that group processes invariably produce.
It should also be obvious that the less the facilitators are directly involved in the project under discussion, the more efficiently they will work. The more they are "outsiders," the more impartial they can be towards the expression of (sometimes diverging) interests in the processes of discussion and negotiation that are the essence of the MAPA-PROJECT workshops. This will not only increase the trust of all participants in the results of the workshop (i.e. the project plan), it will also enhance the credibility of this plan in the eyes of outside organisations, such as a funding organisation. For the same reason it is often advisable to conduct the workshop on "neutral grounds" (i.e., in a location different from that of the organisation which will be running the project)." (Overview, page 21)
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"In the project design and management (PDM) workshop, Volunteers and their Counterparts learn how to involve the community members in moving from their analysis to planning and implementing projects that meet their desires and needs. Some general goals of the PDM workshop for the Peace Corps include
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: 1. To reinforce the philosophy of community participation, and provide additional methodologies for involving community members in designing and implementing their own projects; 2. To enhance the Peace Corps Volunteers’ outreach capabilities; 3. To build host country national community development skills and strengthen the relationship between Volunteer and Counterpart." (Pages 1-2)
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"Used in a participatory way, video can be a powerful tool, which allows clients to examine the world around them, gain awareness of their situation and become more actively involved in decisions which affect their lives. Based on an innovative approach researched over twelve years, the book sets ou
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t a complete programme for workers in a range of social work, community, education and health settings. It features over 60 exercises, explaining clearly the procedure to follow, the time needed and the value of each activity. It includes practical advice on: workshop planning; video equipment and how to use it; teaching technical skills to group members; running long-term projects. Participatory Video is a practical handbook for a wide range of professionals, including social workers, teachers, extension workers, therapists, community artists and video trainers." (Publisher description)
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"This manual has been written for the trained facilitator. It is designed to reinforce concepts and techniques learned in training of facilitators and trainers in participatory group processes. It is the rare individual who could simply study the manual and apply it. A great deal of practice and exp
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erience is needed before most of us become accomplished facilitators. If you are a trained facilitator and wish to use the methods and techniques outlined herein with a group of like-minded people who wish to experiment, you should have no problem. On the other hand, if you are going to use it with an external group who are not particularly familiar with participatory techniques, a good deal of discussion and planning is required. Above all, it is important for the professional facilitator to deeply understand the objectives of a group event. If you detect that top management has a particular agenda in mind and merely wants to transmit it to employees, or to manipulate their staff to a point of view for some unspoken reason, professional facilitators must explain that their job is not to manipulate, that VIPP methods involve true participation and that ulterior motives will become transparent in the process. It is better not to start a participatory process if those responsible are not prepared to accept a different outcome than they expect." (How to use this manual, page ix)
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"Divided into two parts, this manual focuses on the SARAR (Self Esteem, Associative Strengths, Resourcefulness, Action Planning, Responsibility) approach which the Promotion of the Role of Women in Water and Environmental Sanitation Services (PROWESS) has applied in numerous projects and workshops.
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It discusses community participation in development and the process of planning a participatory training programme using SARAR. It provides a background on the resources and, logistics necessary in organising a workshop. It gives pointers in designing a participatory workshop as well as simple daily evaluation techniques and activities. It provides notes to the trainer on selecting and sequencing activities and presents the categories and descriptions of training activities." (https://www.ircwash.org)
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"Este texto propone 50 técnicas y ejercicios grupales para usar videos en la formación y trabajo pastoral. Entendemos por técnicas "un conjunto de normas y reglas adecuadas para dirigir una actividad concreta aplicada a una situación real que tiene un fin previsto". Cada una de las técnicas pre
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sentadas es descrita en forma sintética y muestra las normas, pasos y materiales que involucran ponerlas en práctica." (Introduicción, página 5)
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