TheWorkshop: The Annual International Commune on Participatory Development
Praxis is 15 communes old and thirsting for more. If you too feel the same way, come and participate in TheWorkshop2012 - the annual residential workshop where development practitioners, policy makers and proactive individuals from across the globe come together to reflect, learn and share.
About TheWorkshop
TheWorkshop provides a theoretical understanding of participatory approaches/tools as well as the opportunity to apply them in the field. It gives us an opportunity to debate on and discuss relevant thematic issues. While the diversity and the wealth of experiences participants bring with them makes each edition unique and unrepeatable, the workshop has followed a common learning programme over the last 15 years. This involved an introductory, common module on Attitudes, Behaviours and Change (ABC), interactive classroom sessions in pre-selected thematic modules, field work, evening talks, film screenings and thematic group discussions.
Objectives
- To provide an in-depth understanding of the principles, approaches and methods of participatory practices
- To provide a forum for exchange of ideas and experiences
- To inform participants of the latest innovations developed by practitioners from across the world
- To create a worldwide network of trained PRA/PLA practitioners
- To provide a hands-on learning experience through fieldwork
- To make the participants capable of using participatory methods in their thematic area of work
In the past 15 year, the workshop has attracted more than 1400 participants from 47 countries. Among them are policy makers, development professionals from INGOs, NGOs and CBOs, students and proactive individuals.
Past modules have included Public Accountability, Community-Led Local Level Planning, Training of Trainers, Project Management, Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation, Participatory Methods and Approaches and Participatory Poverty Assessment.
Workshop 2012 – The Format
In the 2012 edition, years of experience come together in a brand new format to make participatory methods to development an integral part of the way we think and work. The residential commune has been compressed to eight days from its earlier 10-day schedule. On the first day, participants will be divided into four groups. Over the next six days, participants will attend parallel sessions on the ABC of participatory development, participatory tools and approaches, and go on field visits to apply their learning to situations on the field. On the penultimate day of the workshop, participants will spend time at the thematic application module, focusing on how to apply participatory methods in various contexts. Here, they learn how to implement participatory approaches in their chosen sphere, moving right from participatory planning to monitoring and evaluation. The last day, as always, will be an opportunity to share one's learning and learn from the insights of others. Through features that set apart TheWorkshop – evening talks, film sessions, group discussions and cultural corners – participants can learn, share, forge ties and grow in a participatory manner. A rough schedule of TheWorkshop is outlined below.
Till date, this programme has attracted more than 1367 participants from over 47 countries. Among them are policy makers, development professionals from INGOs, NGOs and CBOs, students and proactive individuals. Past modules have included Micro Level Planning, Training of Trainers, Project Management, Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation, Participatory Research and Advocacy and Participatory Poverty Assessment.
| Duration | Module/Session |
| 0.5 day | Welcome and ice-breakers |
| 1 day | The ABC of participatory development |
| 2.5 days | Tools, methods, approaches of participatory development |
| 2.5 days | Hands-on training on the field |
| 1 day | Application in various thematic application modules (as pre-selected by participant from the six options below) |
| 0.5 day | Sharing and valedictory |
Modules
On the penultimate day of the workshop, participants will attend thematic application modules of their choice. Currently, there are five modules to choose from. However, this year, there is the space for an additional module. Participants can suggest an area of interest that is not covered in the choices below by June 10. Based on these entries, a sixth module will be available for selection.
- Project Cycle Management
- Campaign, Advocacy and Networking
- Public accountability
- Disaster Management
- Social returns on investment and political economy analysis
- Participant’s choice*
Block your dates....more details soon |
Glimpses of The Workshop 11
Click here to watch the video Glimpses of The Workshop 10Click here to watch the video
Glimpses of The Workshop 09Click here to watch the video
Click here for photographs
Glimpses of The Workshop 08 - [Video Part 1 | Video Part 2]