JOURNAL ON PARTICIPATION

THE SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ICD PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF DEVELOPMENT
JOURNAL ON PARTICIPATION
CENTRE: ARUSHA
INSTRUCTORS: MICHEL ADJIBODOU
DR.SINDA HUSSEIN SINDA.
STUDENT NAME: JOSEPH CLEMENCE.
Table of Contents:
1.0 Introduction 3
2.0 What is participation? 3
3.0 Reasons for Participation 3
4.0 Levels of Participation. 4
5.0 Why participation is important? 5
5.1 Why participation is important for government 5
5.2 Why participation is important ant to the private sector. 5
5.3 Why participation is important to the community and voluntary sector. 6
5.4 Why is participation important to the Community Economic Development? 6
5.5 What Participants gain from participation? 6
6.0 Conclusion 6
1.0 Introduction

The purpose of this Journal is to discuss on participation. The discussion covers on meaning of participation as summarized from different authors, reasons for participation levels of participation, Important of participation and it further concluded by giving my own views.

2.0 What is participation?

English dictionary defined participation as taking part in an event or activity. It is the involvement of people in decisions, services and design. Oakley, (1989) pointed out that, community participation means voluntary contribution to public programmes but people do not play a role in shaping the programmes, involvement in shaping, implementing and evaluating programmes and sharing the benefits and also an active process where intended beneficiaries influence programme outcomes and gain personal growth. He further concluded that community participation range from people passively receiving benefits from any programmes to people actively making decisions about the programme policies and activities.

3.0 Reasons for Participation

According to World Bank (1966), reasons for community participation are: Local people have a great amount of experience and insight into what works, what does not work and why, Involving local people in planning projects can increase their commitment to the project, Involving local people can help them to develop technical and managerial skills and thereby increase their opportunities for employment. Involving local people helps to increase the resources available for the programme. Involving local people is a way to bring about ‘social learning’ for both planners and beneficiaries. ‘Social learning’ means the development of partnerships between professionals and local people, in which, each group learns from the other.

Rifkin, (1990) added that participation is necessary to all people, especially the poor and disadvantaged, as they have both the right and duty to be involved in decisions that affect their daily lives

4.0 Levels of Participation.

Participation suggests some degree of involvement in an activity or an organisation. However, according to Arnstein, S. (1971) there are different levels of involvement, with some people being at the centre of activity and decision-making whilst most take more of a back seat, or passive role. There is also the important issue of how much power you actually have.

Position of power.

Delegated power Level 1 (Partnership):

Level 1 suggests that people are in positions of influence that they have a say in decision-making and that their opinions are taken into account and acted upon.

Consultation Level 2 (Informing):

Level 2 suggests that people have some involvement in an organization or community, but other people make important decisions and inform members about new policies or what action to take.

Passive involvement Level 3 (Manipulation):

Level 3 is really non-participation because although people may be members of an organisation or community, they have no real say or influence in how it operates. Members are expected to go along with decisions made by others and are powerless to make changes themselves.

5.0 Why participation is important?

5.1 Why participation is important for government
There is growing agreement across society that the state cannot (and should not) direct the actions of citizens without their co-operation, any more than the market alone can be relied upon to address the challenges of our time. Whether in dealing with climate change, natural resource management, public health concerns like diseases control and primary hygiene practices, security issues, tackling international terrorism or promoting pro-social behaviour, we are entering an era in which progress is only possible if individuals, communities and public services are each able and willing to contribute to the solution. For this to happen, public participation must become the core, not the counterpart, of the future of public service decision-making. Over time the public has grown less deferential towards authority and this means that the relationship between elected representatives and their constituents and between the institutions of the states and the citizens must change. This is why participation is important to the public sector.

5.2 Why participation is important ant to the private sector.
The boom in interest in ethical consumerism and high profile campaigns by consumer, human rights and environmental groups shows that the public is increasingly concerned about corporate accountability and transparency. Participatory methods need to be a core part of the Corporate Social Responsibility agenda is it is to amount to more than just a one way communications exercise.
5.3 Why participation is important to the community and voluntary sector.
In the future if community and voluntary groups want to be effective campaigners or advocates they will need to be able to show how they have engaged with their constituents. Most charities that deliver services are committed to user involvement. The information gathered by a forward thinking programme of engagement will allow community and voluntary groups to adapt to changing circumstances and to remain relevant in the future.
5.4 Why is participation important to the Community Economic Development?
Participation at all stages of project/ Programme design will ensure stakeholders commitment, projects or programme desired achievements and sustainability of the development activities.
5.5 What Participants gain from participation?
Public participation is not only important for organisations in the public, private and not for profit sectors, it also has the potential to change how individuals and communities live and interact. Taking part in local decision-making or discussing future policy can have a transformative effect on how people think about themselves and their role in society.

6.0 Conclusion

Participation is once again seen by many governments, the United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as critical to programme planning and poverty alleviation. Participation is central to development projects as a means to seek sustainability and equity, particularly for the poor. Participation makes possible for mobilization of financial, material and human resources in the community to speed up the community economic development, local health and environmental conditions.
Through participation, People become committed to activities that they have helped develop. People can develop skills, knowledge and experience that will aid them in their future work.

REFERENCE:
1. Arnstein S (1971) “A ladder of citizens Participation” American Institute of planners Journal.
2. Oarkly P (1989), Community Involvement in Health Development Geneva: WHO.
3. Rifkin S.B (1990) Community Participation in MCH/FP programmes an analysis based on case study materials Geneva: WHO.