Issue 54 of Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) includes a selection of papers presented at the "Mapping for Change: International Conference of Spatial Information Management and Communication" held in Nairobi, Kenya, September 7-10 2005.

This publication provides an overview of the state of the art regarding the practice of participatory geographical information systems (PGIS). It opens with an overview of the topic, written by the team of guest editors. After explaining the concept of PGIS this editorial reviews the conference, and then the content of the articles included. A section on tool-based case studies follows, which includes chapters on mapping traditional knowledge in Indonesia, and on the relevance of PGIS to resolution of land use conflict in Ghana. Issue-based case studies form the next section, including examples from working with indigenous peoples in Canada, and experiences from the San communities in the Caprivi strip in Namibia. The final main section, entitled "Theory and Reflections from Practice" identifies some of the complexities and challenges of using PGIS in-the-field and promoting the support of PGIS to potential funders.

This publication includes not only the above-mentioned sections and articles, but also has a glossary, follow-up contacts, boxes of additional information, line drawings and photographs.

Due to unprecedented demand, the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) has decided to produce in collaboration with other development partners a multilingual CD version of this publication. It will contain PDF versions of the articles - translated in the following languages: Arabic, Bangla, Chinese (traditional and modern), French, Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili and Tamil.

Click here to order the full issue online or for access to key articles within it available for free PDF download.

Click here for information about the forthcoming CD-ROM.