Communication and Natural Resource Management: Experience/Theory
Experience 1 (cont.)
Community Based Natural Resource Management – Namibia
CBNRM in Namibia
COMMUNICATION AND CHANGE
Here are two contrasting views on how and why change takes place.
1. Paulo Freire (25) viewed change as coming from a process where dialogue led to social commitment, and the constant dialectic between action and reflection. In other words:
a) Dialogue: Lots of communication, discussion and debate, particularly amongst those people most affected and engaged.
b) Social Commitment: People, individually and through organisations and groups in which they are involved, commit themselves to change, and/or take advantage of the opportunities they see for improving their livelihoods.
c) Action/Reflection: People take action and then review those actions to see what happened. In the light of that assessment, they plan and undertake new actions leading to further reflection on what happened and a continuing cycle of action and reflection.
2. Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs(26) developed the following model for change:
Knowledge
Information, examples, data, etc.
Approval
From those around you, of the importance of the issues you wish to address, and the importance of addressing them effectively.
Intention
To make it happen, genuinely desiring that the change will take place.
Practice
An action has to be undertaken.
Advocacy
Try to convince others about the desirability of their making the same choices and taking the same actions.
Your Analysis of Natural Resource Management in Namibia
We suggest you refer to the Namibia experience above as you do this exercise. As you review it, make notes in the boxes below to detail elements of the change strategy pursued in Namibia, which are consistent with one of the principles for effective and sustainable change outlined by either Freire or Johns Hopkins University CCP.
| Change principle |
Elements of the Namibia NRM story that reflect this change principle. |
| Dialogue |
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| Social Commitment |
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| Action/Reflection |
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| Knowledge |
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| Approval |
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| Intention |
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| Practice |
|
| Advocacy |
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What conclusions do you draw about the main change and communication strategies that underpinned this NRM initiative in Namibia?
What implications are there for your NRM strategies?
Click Here to goto Drawing Your Own Conclusions: Experience 1
Considering the Theme and Learning Objectives for this experience please list one or more lessons you think are important for your own work. Please list these on the chart in «Drawing Your Own Conclusions».
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Supporting Document
Brian T. B. Jones, «Community Management of Natural Resources in Namibia», Scandinavian Seminar College's Africa Project SSC Africa Project, paper no. 03 1999
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