Participatory practice : community-based action for transformative change
2009 (English)Book (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
Abstract [en]
Participatory Practice explores the core ideas of participatory practice and how theory and practice can be integrated to achieve transformative change.
The ideas in the book are founded on two premises: firstly, that transformative practice begins in the everyday stories that people tell about their lives and that practical theory generated from these narratives is the best way to inform both policy and practice. Secondly, that participatory practice is a tool for examining this knowledge in that it allows practitioners to examine the way they view the world and to situate their local practice within bigger social issues.
The book is expected to be of interest to both academics and community-based practitioners.
Professor Springett commented: “Writing the book was a transformative experience in itself because we had to cross the divide between our different professions. The idea to write it came from our joint concern for the appropriation of the language of participation by many politicians and agencies without a real examination of what true participation actually consists of."
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Bristol: Policy Press , 2009. , p. 252
National Category
Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hkr:diva-5691ISBN: 978-1-84742-012-1 (print)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hkr-5691DiVA, id: diva2:286302
Note
This exciting book is both practical and theoretical. It is a pioneering work of integrated praxis, situating theory within a participatory worldview and grounding practice in the important issues of our times - social justice and sustainability. Ledwith and Springett’s ideas are founded on two premises. Firstly, transformative practice begins in the stories of people’s everyday lives, and practical theory generated from these narratives is the best way to inform both policy and practice. This innovative approach bridges the divide between ideas and practice, and allows the development of the knowledge needed to bring about transformative social change. Secondly, participatory approaches to practice allow practitioners not only to critically examine the world, but also to reflect on the way in which they view the world in order to situate their local practice more relevantly within bigger social issues.
Participatory practice is structured in an unfolding and engaging way. It is divided into two major sections: the first, ‘A Participatory Paradigm’, considers theory in relation to current times, and the second, ‘Participatory Practice’, develops skills related to this thinking. The book will be of interest to both academics and community-based practitioners.
“Participatory research and popular education are key means to uncovering ‘knowledge as if people mattered’. This superb book enriches our understanding of these areas, building on them to create an inclusive – and enticing – world view.”
Alex Scott-Samuel,University of Liverpool
“This book presents a sustained challenge to governments and international organisations, such as the World Bank, which claim to be signed up to people’s participation. Community-based action should be about transformative change, as the book’s subtitle suggests, and this deeply thoughtful book shows why and how it can be achieved. It is a very welcome addition to the impressive canon being
developed by the authors.”
Gary Craig, Ambassador and Past President,International Association for Community Development
2010-01-142010-01-142010-12-01Bibliographically approved