African Regional Workshop on Participatory Research, Mzumbe, 2nd - 7th July 1979
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Date
1979-07-07
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African Regional Workshop on Participatory Research
Abstract
This summary presents key discussion points raised by Group 1 during the African Regional Workshop on Participatory Research. The focus of the discussion was the language used in participatory research, debating the use of everyday language versus academic language when engaging local communities in Tanzania. The dialogue highlighted the challenges of translating complex ideas into accessible terms while considering the cultural and intellectual context of rural participants. Topics included the need for developing new terminology, bridging language gaps for solidarity among different community groups, and providing access to foundational texts to prevent elitism in knowledge production. The group emphasized a dialectical approach to language in research, aligning it with participatory methods to democratize knowledge creation.
Description
This document captures the reflections and debates of workshop participants regarding the role of language in participatory research. It emphasizes the importance of using local language and cultural understanding to make research accessible and meaningful to community members. Key themes include the balance between introducing new terminology for complex concepts and respecting existing vernacular, the empowerment of peasants and workers in knowledge creation, and the challenges of preventing elitism in research processes. The summary reflects on participatory research's potential for transformative education and social awareness among rural communities in Tanzania.
Keywords
Participatory Research, Vocational Education, Tanzania, Language in Research, Cultural Perspectives, Knowledge Production, Peasant Empowerment, Academic Language, Rural Development
Citation
(1979). African Regional Workshop on Participatory Research, Mzumbe, 2nd - 7th July 1979: Summary of Points Raised in Discussion of Case Study on Rural Vocational Education in Tanzania.