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PRAXIS is conducting the ninth edition of the annual International Thematic PRA Training Workshop for senior and mid level development workers from 18th September to 29th September 2005.

Over 800 participants from 35 countries and organizations, including Action Aid, CARE, CCF, CRS, Concern, IDS-Sussex, IIED, NIPRANET (Nigeria), OXFAM, PARENT (Tanzania), UNDP, UNOPS, World Bank, UNICEF, World Food Programme, have participated in our workshops and have proclaimed them as "outstanding!"

- Explore the principles, approaches and tools of participatory methodologies; - Discover the latest innovations developed by practitioners world wide; - Provide invaluable hands-on learning opportunities through field work in villages and urban slums; and - Focus on participatory methodologies in specific thematic work areas.

The workshop will be held in:

• A Participatory manner, and in English (with translation available for fieldwork).
• Modules are chosen in accord with interests expressed by participants.
• Each participant is requested to choose two modules and indicate their first and second preference.
• Experience in using participatory tools is necessary for all modules excluding PRA-Basics & Principles. Participants who are likely to facilitate community leadership will be given preference for Training of Trainers Module.
• Based on the responses received from participants, five modules will be selected and run simultaneously. Approximately 25 applicants will be selected for each module. If the module that is stated as first preference by a participant is not run or full, then the participant will be shifted to the module of second preference. Therefore, each participant can attend only one module through the workshop.

WORKSHOP THEMES:

Modules will run simultaneously. Each participant, based on their area of interest, may choose one module from the ones listed below.

1) PRA - BASICS & PRINCIPLES is designed especially for PRA beginners. Every year, many people learn the basic usage of PRA tools in this course. It is one of the most popular courses in the workshop.

2) PARTICIPATORY MONITORING & EVALUATION is one of the fields in which participatory approaches are becoming increasingly common. The module provides inputs on several methods of participatory Monitoring and Evaluation, such as Social Audit and Development Audit using PRA tools.

3) PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH AND POVERTY ASSESSMENT focuses on trying to understand how poor people themselves perceive poverty. The module includes the use of participatory methodologies to understand poverty, to identify appropriate policy measures, and ways to address the real needs of the poor in a disaggregated manner.

4) PARTICIPATORY MICRO LEVEL PLANNING - To implement a program, it is very important to involve people in analysing their own situations in order to make a comprehensive and sustainable development plan. This module will offer insights on how to apply participatory tools in the planning process.

5) PRA - TRAINING OF TRAINERS (TOT) is meant for people who are already adept in the use of PRA in their respective fields and are now thinking of moving on to the next step, which is training others in PRA. This module focuses on what are the required skills, attitudes and behaviours that a trainer needs to possess along with providing information on diverse training methodologies.

6)PARTICIPATORY VIDEO provides the means to use video as a communication tool to empower and give voice to the stakeholders, particularly the poor. Participants will be given hands on experience in providing a participatory video film.

7) PARTICIPATION AND GOVERNANCE - The module will explore issues and challenges in inclusion of the poor and seek solutions to enhance their participation in governance. It will probe both conceptual and methodological aspects.

TIME FRAME - 18th to 29th September 2005

RESOURCE PERSONS In addition to PRAXIS facilitators, the workshop would be facilitated by some of the best known proponents of PRA in the world today, including Dr. Robert Chambers from the University of Sussex, England.

Past external facilitators have included Dr. John Gaventa, Dr. Amitava Mukherjee, Mr. Sam Joseph, Mr. Kamal Kar, Ms. Sheelu, Mr Josh Levene and Mr. Somesh Kumar among others.

FEE AND MODE OF PAYMENT For International participants: Euros 1,250 For Indian participants: Rs 20,000 (except for staff of bilateral & multilateral organisations, and UN organisations) Rs 30,000 for staff of bilateral as well as multilateral organisations, and UN organisations.

Fees include board, lodging on a twin sharing basis, reading material and local transport.

All fees should be remitted through account payee demand draft in favour of PRAXIS Institute for Participatory Practices payable at New Delhi, India, along with the registration form.

Partial financial support is available to a very few deserving participants from developing countries. Those interested may apply with their CVs and justification, well in advance.

VENUE: The venue of the workshop will be announced shortly.

For further details and registration, please contact: Workshop Coordination Team (Benji John and Madhura Pandit) PRAXIS - Institute for Participatory Practices C-75 South Extension Part II, New Delhi - 110 049 Tel Phone/Fax: (+91 11) 5164-2348/49/50/51 Email