Participatory Research and CBCRM: In Context Based on discussions held at the Summer Institute on Participatory Research in Community Based Coastal Resource Management, held Aug. 29- Sept.10, 1999 in Cornwallis and Halifax, N.S. Edited by Veroniba J. Brzesbi, Jennifer Ciraham and Ciaty F. Newbirb Published by Coastal Resources Research Networb (CoRR) Dalhousie University Halifax. Nova Scotia, Canada and International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Coastal Resources Research Network (CoRR) Lester Pearson International Institute Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 3H5 Canada (http://www.dal.ca/corr) and International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada First Published 2001 National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication Data Main entry under title: Participatory research and CBCRM : in context Co-published by International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Based on discussions held at the Summer Institute on Participatory Research in Community Based Coastal Resource Management, held Aug. 29-Sept. 10, 1999 in Cornwallis and Halifax, N.S. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-7703-9498-1 1. Coastal zone management. 2. Participant observation. 3. Community development. I. Newkirk G. F. (Gary Francis), 1946- 11. Brzeski, Veronika J. (Veronika Julia), 1964- III. Graham, Jennifer, 1971- IV. International Development Research Centre (Canada) V. Coastal Resources Research Network. VI. Summer Institute on Participatory Research in Community Based Coastal Resource Management (1999: Cornwallis and Halifax, N.S) HT39l.P36 2001 333.91 '7 C200 1-901498-8 Cover photographs: Gary F. Newkirk and Veronika J. Brzeski iii Contents Introduction ........................................................ v List of Abbreviations ....................................... viii Chapter 1. What is Participatory Research? What is Participatory Research? .................................... 2 Chapter 2. Participation Who is involved in PR? Who initiates? What are the roles? Who holds power? Who is missing? ................. 12 How do we enhance inclusiveness and ensure that different players are involved in our PR research? ...... 22 Case Study: Community conflict in resource management in Prieto Diaz, Philippines ....... 32 Chapter 3. Context How does PR differ in different contexts? ................... 50 How is PR actually done? What are the steps and methods to follow while doing PR? ............................. 62 Case Study: Sustainable livelihoods in Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary, Cambodia ......... 71 Chapter 4. Approach & Methodology How do we do community assets and needs analysis? 85 How do we demystify the highly technical and make it more understandable? How do we incorporate expertise or skills in research? .................................................... 93 How do we take an interdisciplinary approach in PR? 99 iv PR & CBCRM: In Context How do we incorporate participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) and reflection into the planning process of PR? . .. .. .. .. 108 Chapter 5. Use of Participatory Research Results How can PR processes and tools be used in conflict resolution and consensus building? ........................... 115 How can we make PR more efficient in producing results? ....................................................................... 121 How can PR be used for better planning_and decision making in coastal resource management? .................. 128 Case Study: Fighting the concentration of fishing effort in the Canadian Bay of Fundy groundfishery ... 136 Appendices Appendix A. The Context .......................................... 153 Appendix B. The Process ........................................... 160 Appendix C. References ............................................ 163 Appendix D. Glossary of Terms and Places .............. 164 Appendix E. List of Participants ................................ 167 Introduction v Introduction This book is an attempt at synthesizing discussions at the Sum­ mer Institute on Participatory Research in Community Based Coastal Resource Management which took place in Cornwallis and Halifax, Nova Scotia, from August 29 to September 10, 1999. The objective of the meeting was to provide a venue to exchange and synthesize information related to the application of participatory research in CBCRM. We have all learned so much from the discussions and exchanges that, in order to share this with those who could not participate, we wish to present our learnings in this book. The title of the book comes in part from the title of the meeting "Summer Institute on Participatory Research (PR) in Community Based Coastal Resources Management (CBCRM)" and in part from the variety of people who met - thus the "in context". Each one of us brought to the meeting a very different context which drives our PR/CBCRM efforts, each one of us came with a different experience with PR/CBCRM and each one of us approaches the issues differently. We not only came from different parts of the world (Philippines, Viet Nam, Cambodia, USA and Canada) but also held different roles in our PRJ CBCRM efforts. Some participants were members of communi­ ties struggling to gain more control over the management of their resources, while others were community organizers, researchers, academics, civil servants, field workers, project managers, teachers, staff of community organizations, and many would claim to hold a combination of several roles. Although we were talking about the same thing, we each had a different approach to tackling the issues, a different perspective on the issues and also different obstacles and experiences. But through the exchanges, we did learn a lot from each other and gained a new perspective on PR in CBCRM. The meeting had only a preliminary schedule and no pre-ar­ ranged speakers arranged so it followed a very flexible and participatory agenda. Thus this book is a synthesis of the discus­ sions that were held on subjects which participants felt were VI PR & CBCRM: In Context essential to PR in CBCRM. The book contains the efforts of all the participants involved in the meeting since we were all active in the discussions. About half of the participants then devoted an extra week after the meeting to collate, transcribe and flesh out the discussion which resulted in the sections of each chapter. The editorial team then continued with more editing and organiz­ ing of the discussion into this fmal product. The discussions have been subjectively arranged into 5 chapters. In those 5 chapters are responses to 12 questions which the participants struggle with in conducting PR, 3 discussions on case studies from the Philippines, Cambodia and Maritime . Canada, and "context st\tements" or brief statements made by each participant on their PR experience. The 5 Chapters divide the questions, case studies and contexts into the following themes: Chapter 1. What is Participatory Research? Chapter 2. Participation Chapter 3. Context Chapter 4. Approach & Methodology Chapter 5. Use ofPR results However, these 'themes' were not identified at the start- they were only identified during the fmal editing of this book. The material presented is very broad, with each section touching on all themes. PR methodology can not be subdivided and boxed - it is interdisciplinary in ideology as in practice. There is no set procedure and no checklist. Since communities must lead the process, each effort with its distinct context is quite unique in its design, process, methodology and results. All we can offer is a discussion of the elements of PR in CBCRM which we have attempted here. The appendices contain more detail on the background to the Summer Institute and its participants (The Context), an account of what transpired (The Process), a list of the main CBCRM research sites cited throughout the proceedings (The Glossary) Introduction vii and a list of participants. The meeting is referred to informally as SI2 (or the 2nd Summer Institute) as it is one of a series of meetings which the group has had and hopes to have in the future, to discuss issues of CBCRM and to learn from each other. We welcome any comments, reviews, or questions. Please join in the discussion by writing to us! The Editors Coastal Resources Research Network (CoRR) email: [email protected] The authors of this book are, from left to right on the back cover photograph, Back Row: Marina Conway, Pat Rhynold, Pauline Macintosh, John Kearney, Truong Van Tuyen, Jason Mullen, Jennifer Graham, Will Hopkins, Toby Carson, Kim Nong, Gary Newkirk, Maria Recchia; Middle Row: Arthur Bull, Orlando Arciaga, Lana Langille; Front Row: Veronika Brzeski, Katherine Savard, Corinne Munroe, Khy An, Melissa Marschke, Elmer Ferrer, Francisco Aguilar, Becky Rivera-Guieb. viii PR & CBCRM: In Context List of Abbreviations BFFC Bay of Fundy Fisheries Council (Canada) CBCRM Community Based Coastal Resources Management CoRR Coastal Resources Research Network DFO Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada) DMR Department of Marine Resources (Maine, USA) FFGC Fundy Fixed Gear Council (Canada) FRCC Fisheries Resources Conservation Council (Canada) GIS Geographic Information System IDRC International Development Research Centre (Canada) ITQ Individual Transferable Quotas MoE Ministry of the Environment (Cambodia) NGO Non-governmental Organization PM&E Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation PMMR Participatory Management of Mangrove Resources (Cambodia) PR Participatory Research PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal SCAD