People, Land And Water

* Showcases the benefits and best methods of involving all stakeholders--communities, farmers, businesses, and local governments--in natural resource management * Includes a wide range of concrete case studies from developing countries in Africa and Asia * Draws on examples from water management, forestry, agriculture, and more, to provide an essential source of information for researchers and practitioners In natural resource management research, best practice implies the participation of community members, research or development teams, and other stakeholders to jointly identify research and development parameters and contribute to decision-making. Ideally, the research or development process itself generates a situation of empowerment in which participants transform their vision and become able to take effective action. Used increasingly widely in resource management, this process is known as Participatory Development Communication (PDC). This book presents conceptual and methodological issues related to the use of PDC to facilitate participation among stakeholders in a variety of natural resource management initiatives. Each chapter presents in-depth experiences from Asia and Africa to highlight different ways in which this process can be achieved. The book describes the major issues involved in applying PDC to natural resource management practices and research, discusses the challenges and the difficulties linked to such an approach, and offers insights and lessons from research and experience in the field.