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Today, we'll discuss the impact of climate change on communities and the critical role of community participation. What do you think participation means in this context?
I think it means the community should be involved in decisions about climate change.
Exactly! Participation isn't just about being present; it's about having a say in how issues like climate change affect us. Can someone tell me why it's important for communities to define their terms of participation?
Because they know their needs and realities better than outsiders do.
Great point! This is what we want to focus on today.
Let’s talk about the user-based approach. Why do you think it’s necessary for the community to define their participation criteria?
Because it gives them ownership of the process.
Yeah, they might have different ideas on how to handle things than what outsiders suggest.
Exactly! A user-based approach empowers communities and reflects their unique challenges.
Now, let’s look at a real-world example from the Wa region in Ghana. What issues have farmers been facing there?
They have problems with floods and droughts.
And the rainfall patterns have changed, right?
Yes! The change in rainfall has led to uncertainty. How might this affect their farming?
It might make it harder for them to plan planting and harvesting.
Exactly! This unpredictability can disrupt their livelihoods, reinforcing the need for their input in climate strategies.
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This section emphasizes the necessity of involving communities in climate change discourse, especially in disaster risk management practices. It critiques the often top-down approach to participation, advocating for a user-based method where communities themselves define participation criteria based on their lived experiences.
This section explores the fundamental role of community involvement in managing the impacts of climate change, particularly in disaster-prone regions like the Wa region in Ghana. It begins by addressing the historical context of community participation regarding climate initiatives, where external stakeholders often dictate the terms and nature of involvement. The author argues for a user-centered approach, advocating for communities to articulate their definitions of meaningful participation. This participant-driven framework seeks to ensure that the needs and experiences of those most affected by climate change are prioritized, leading to successful outcomes like mutual trust, ownership, and improved self-reliance. The narrative further illustrates the direct impacts of climate change with case examples from Ghana, highlighting shifting rainfall patterns and their consequences on local agriculture and livelihoods.
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So bringing the people into the driving seat is really important this is the celebrations of our after finishing this and Dharavi community led action plan for flood disaster risk management.
This chunk emphasizes the importance of involving the community directly in decisions and actions related to climate change. It highlights that true progress in managing flood risks comes when community members take an active role in shaping plans and actions that affect their lives, rather than having these plans imposed on them by outsiders.
Think of it like a group project in school. If the teacher assigns roles without asking for input from students, some may feel undervalued or unhappy about their contributions. However, if the students collaborate and choose their roles based on their strengths and interests, the project is more likely to succeed and be enjoyable.
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But the question remains in question of participations that why people participate? These are the criterias right and these the right hand side you can see that, left hand side the process-based criteria and right hand side you can see some of the references that from where we can found that this is our proposed argued for community participation.
This segment raises the crucial question of why community participation is important and identifies criteria that define this participation. It suggests that understanding the reasons behind participation is key to developing effective strategies. It points out that there are criteria for participation, which are divided into process-based and outcome-based aspects, offering a structured view of how community involvement can be assessed.
Imagine you are joining a sports team. You would want to know not just the rules of the game (the process) but also what the goals are (the outcomes). Understanding why you are participating and what you can gain or contribute motivates better engagement.
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But these criterias either process or outcome-based developed by researchers, project facilitators, local government, NGOs. What is missing is that we are seeking communities participations but community had never been involved in defining what is the meaning of participations.
Here, it is highlighted that while various stakeholders—such as researchers and NGOs—have established criteria for community participation, the actual community members have not been consulted to define what participation means to them. This lack of community input can lead to a mismatch between what is expected and what community members are willing to engage in, thus impacting the effectiveness and authenticity of participation efforts.
Consider a restaurant trying to cater to a community without asking the locals about their food preferences. The restaurant may create a menu based on general trends instead of what the community truly desires, resulting in low patronage because the preferences were not aligned.
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So what we did we are looking this thing from a different angle from a different perspective we are saying that instead of we define the criteria of participation is possible that community themselves will define what is the meaning of participations what are the criterias of participations so we call this is user based approach.
This part introduces the concept of a user-based approach to participation. By allowing the community to set the criteria for their participation, stakeholders can ensure that the engagement is relevant and effective. This shifts the power dynamics, putting community members at the center of the decision-making process, and leading to more meaningful participation.
Imagine a community garden where the locals decide what to plant based on their preferences. If the garden committee were to choose vegetables that no one would eat, the garden might fail. However, if residents choose based on what they love, the garden will thrive, fostering better community involvement and satisfaction.
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We conducted this study in Ghana a West African country and one of the most climate change impacted a disaster-prone community particularly the upper region, Wa region, the northern part of Ghana is around four hundred kilometre from the Accra their capital city and is one of the poorest region of this country.
This section discusses the specific context of a study conducted in Ghana, focusing on the Wa region which faces significant climate change impacts. It highlights the socioeconomic context of the community, illustrating the vulnerabilities faced due to poverty and environmental changes. Understanding such contexts is crucial for tailoring appropriate community engagement strategies and disaster management plans.
Think of a small coastal town that is experiencing higher tides due to climate change. If this town is also economically disadvantaged, it might not have the resources to build protective barriers. Community engagement is crucial here—people living there can best discuss needs and form effective solutions based on their firsthand experiences.
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This calendar were developed by the farmers or the local residents by themselves they are depicting, describing the impact of climate change they can sense they can feel.
In this chunk, farmers in the Wa region created a calendar to illustrate how climate change has altered their agricultural patterns and rainfall. This calendar reflects their lived experiences and helps to visualize changes in seasons, which are pivotal for their farming activities. This participatory method empowers communities, allowing them to share their knowledge and adapt to environmental changes effectively.
Imagine a classroom where students create a timeline of their experiences during the year. By documenting changes, they not only chronicle events but also learn how their actions and the weather pay a role in their experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of cause and effect in their lives.
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But as a result of climate change the rain now the onset of rainfall now moved from rain now move from April to May, sometimes it moves to June even. Until May is still fine but when this move from to June or July no rain then is almost like a drought like a situation.
This section explains the specific changes in rainfall patterns due to climate change in the Wa region. It outlines the shift of rainfall onset to later months, which can lead to drought conditions followed by erratic rainfall. This unpredictability demonstrates how climate change directly impacts local agriculture and livelihoods, highlighting the necessity for adaptive strategies in farming practices.
Think of planting a garden based on the old weather patterns. If you always planted in March but then suddenly find that the rainy season doesn’t begin until May, your plants may not receive the necessary water and could die. It’s crucial to adapt your planting schedule to fit the new climate realities.
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Key Concepts
Community Participation: Involvement of local communities in decision-making.
User-Based Approach: Empowering communities to define their own engagement parameters.
Impact of Climate Change: Shifts in weather patterns affecting livelihoods.
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In Ghana, farmers have documented shifts in rainfall patterns that disrupt their traditional farming calendars.
Community-led calendar initiatives that illustrate how climate change impacts local farming were developed in response to changing environmental conditions.
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Participate with local pride, in community plans that mustn't hide.
Imagine a village where farmers, tired of flood woes, come together to establish their planting rules, ensuring their voices echo through every choice.
C P (Community Participation) – Connect People.
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Review the Definitions for terms.
Term: Community Participation
Definition:
The involvement of local people in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
Term: UserBased Approach
Definition:
A strategy where participants define their own criteria for engagement, ensuring their needs are met.
Term: Climate Change
Definition:
Long-term alterations in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions that affect global climate systems.
Term: Disaster Risk Management
Definition:
Efforts to reduce the risk and impact of disasters through planning, preparedness, and response strategies.
Term: Ghana's Wa Region
Definition:
A specific area in northern Ghana known for being climate change-impacted with flooding and drought issues.