PEANuT
Participatory Evaluation and Appraisal in Newcastle upon Tyne
'Introduction to Participatory Appraisal'
Booking now for 9th-13th June and 23rd-27th June 2003
PEANuT and Participatory Appraisal (PA)
'Introduction to Participatory Appraisal' training courses have been
co-ordinated and delivered through the Division of Geography at Northumbria
University since September 2000. With over 200 people having passed through
previous courses, demand for both training and participatory
consultation/research provision has provided the opportunity for the
development of the 'PEANuT' (Participatory Evaluation and Appraisal in
Newcastle upon Tyne) project. PEANuT's aims are:
* to support those using participatory appraisal and develop a
sustainable PA network in the north-east of England;
* to raise the profile of PA in NE England;
* to provide a range of training courses in PA; and
* to become a regional focus-point for participatory research and
consultation initiatives.
Further details of the PEANuT project, and its activities, will be available
on the project's web-pages soon.
What is participatory appraisal?
Participatory appraisal is a community-based approach to consultation that
gives precedence to the views and attitudes of local people as experts
within their own communities. Through PA, local people can explore and
share their knowledge of life and local conditions as well make decisions,
and plan and carry out actions to effect change within their communities.
The PA approach transcends more conventional research methods by using
visual and flexible tools such as maps, spider diagrams and charts. The
process is interactive rather than extractive, enabling people from all
backgrounds and with varying abilities to be involved in the research,
education and collective action.
How does PA work?
PA comprises of 3 elements; research, education and collective action.
Research is carried out by members of the community on issues they have
identified as relevant to them. Collective education follows as the
participants learn as they collect, contribute and disseminate information.
The participatory nature of this approach also enables respondents to be
more involved with decision-making processes by contributing their knowledge
of local needs and taking ownership of the ideas and solutions that are
forthcoming. The wider community can begin to gain a sense of empowerment
through collective action and the experiences of having their views taken
seriously and acted upon.
Where did PA come from and how can it be applied?
Participatory appraisal has been widely used in the southern hemisphere in
the context of working with rural communities in developing countries.
However, in recent years the principles of participation and action-oriented
research have been increasingly drawn upon in the northern hemisphere
(including the UK) to identify and find solutions to a range of issues
within local communities. In the North East PA has been used to look at a
wide range of issues including drugs, crime, barriers to employment, sexual
health, community facilities, graffiti, financial exclusion, and education.
Who should come on the course?
Alongside 'traditional' users of such course provision (for example, those
who are employed in community-based work such as health professionals, youth
workers, carers, support workers, housing officers, teachers and so on) PA
is explicitly designed to further the ability of local people in identifying
and effecting the changes they desire in their communities. As such, our PA
courses are open to anyone with an interest in the communities in which they
live and/or work. Past participants have included people from Age Concern,
Newcastle City Council, Hadrian's Wall Tourism Partnership, Sure Start, Home
Housing, The Mother's Union, Streetwise, East Carolina University, Church
Action on Poverty, New Deal for Communities, the Beth Johnson Foundation,
and the British Asian Women's Association.
When are the next courses?
Bookings are now being taken for the following weeks: 9th - 13th June and
23rd - 27th June 2003.
What's the course like?
The course is run over 5 full days (Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm - attendance for
all 5 days is a course requirement) and focuses on learning by doing.
During the course participants learn about the background and philosophies
of participatory appraisal and how to use the tools and techniques with
confidence. Pre-arranged fieldwork placements enable students (in teams) to
practice their skills in an ongoing, real-world project. Themes of previous
placements have included homelessness, consulting young people and financial
exclusion.
How much will it cost?
Full cost places are #380, and voluntary/not for profit sector places are
#190 (inclusive of all course materials and refreshments and lunches on 4
days, but not overnight accommodation). Places are strictly limited (16
participants) and are allocated on a first come, first served basis, so
please book early. If you are unable to make these dates but are interested
in receiving training at another time, or, if you are keen to attend, but
have difficulties meeting the costs of the course, please get in touch.
How do I book a place?
To receive a copy of the booking form (either by post or electronically)
email us at [log in to unmask], or contact either the PEANuT
project Co-ordinator, Catherine Butcher (0191 2273848) or Director, Duncan
Fuller (0191 2273753) at : Division of Geography, Lipman Building,
Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST.
What other courses are on offer?
Please let us know (via the contact details above) if you would like to
receive details of future 'Introduction to Participatory Appraisal' 5-day
courses. In addition, we are currently in the process of developing other
forms of course provision, and would like to have an idea of potential
levels of demand. If you have already taken part in one of our
'Introduction to Participatory Appraisal' courses and would like to register
your interest in IPA 'refresher days', or 'running a PA project' short
course, or are interested in becoming one of our trainers, please let us
know.
____________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Duncan Fuller
Division of Geography / PEANuT (Participatory Evaluation and Appraisal in
Newcastle upon Tyne)
Lipman Building
Northumbria University
Newcastle upon Tyne
UK
Tel (Direct): (0191) 2273753
Mobile: 07946 401359
Tel (Division Office): (0191) 2273951
Fax: (0191) 2274715
Geo-publishing.org: http://www.may.ie/nirsa/geo-pub/geo-pub.html
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