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Message from: RGoethert (RGoethert@aol.com)
About: CAP Query Responses

Tue, 9 Dec 1997 10:27:05 EST

  • Next message: Roberto: "CAP vidoe conference on December 17"
    RESPONSE TO QUERIES FROM=0AMS. CHARLOTTE ALLEN AND MR. ALMEIDA FERNANDES=
    =0ACommunty Action Planning (CAP)=0A=0A8 December 1997=0A=0A=0A1. CAP IN =
    CONTEXT OF HIGH ILLITERACY:=0AYou need a means of documenting concerns an=
    d ideas. Sometimes we have added=0A=91facilitators=92 to each small work=
    ing group (3-5 people) whose task was to help=0Astructure responses and a=
    ct as writers. Key is to get people who do not=0Aimpose their own thinki=
    ng. Graphic symbols (as in elections of some countries=0Awith low litera=
    cy) helps to some degree to keep track of general ideas.=0ASometimes use =
    of Polaroid images in identifying problems/opportunities is=0Auseful. Th=
    ese are all less satisfactory when shifting to defining alternative=0Aact=
    ions - a writer/reader/explainer is needed in this case.=0A=09We were par=
    ticularly fortunate in early projects in Sri Lanka because of the=0Ahigh =
    literacy among the whole population - the level was similar to Europe.=0A=
    =0A2. SIZE OF TEAM AND SPECIALITIES IN SOUTH AFRICAN EXAMPLE:=0AFrom the =
    outside we had a larger group than needed because of its pilot=0Anature.=
    =0AOur main contribution was providing the structure and moderating the w=
    orkshop,=0Aand secondarily in a very minor fashion, acting as technical r=
    esource persons=0A(this contribution tends to be marginal since issues ar=
    e very=0Astraightforward).=0AFrom outside of South Africa:=0A=09- 2 moder=
    ators (could be one; both arch/planner)=0A=09- 1 civil engineer=0A=09- 1 =
    student observer (economist)=0AFrom inside South Africa:=0A=09- 1 local R=
    DP official=0A=09- 3 observers from University of Durban (engineers)=0A=
    =09- 2 NGO observers (sociologists)=0A=0A3. HOW MUCH WAS THE GRANT?=0AThe=
    project had several phases, including preliminary investigatory trip,=0A=
    background paper preparation, documentation, dissemination, provincial=
    =0Aseminar, etc. which where outside of the CAP itself. Moreover, fundi=
    ng was=0Aput together from several sources, and parts included a 40% over=
    head. The=0Atotal grant amount would not be useful, which was in the vic=
    inity of $90,000. =0A=0A4. IS A CAP APPROACH SUITABLE FOR STRUCTURAL PLAN=
    NING? =0AProjects develop three outputs, although emphasis tends to be on=
    the short=0Aterm: 1) things that the community could do on their own (b=
    ut just never=0Athought about it or never organized it). These are immed=
    iate gains for the=0Acommunity. 2) Things the community needs help to ca=
    rry out, whether funds,=0Atechnical assistance, etc. Sometimes these can=
    be quickly done since the=0Agovernment already has resources but may nee=
    ded organizing or matching their=0Aresources with the community. 3) Thin=
    gs that they cannot do themselves. These=0Awould rightfully fit into the =
    overall city structural planning, assuming these=0Atend to be larger scal=
    e concerns.=0A=09It would even be better if a minimum amount was allocate=
    d to the community to=0Ause.=0A=0A5. IF NO FUNDS, COULD COMMUNITY CONSULT=
    ATION BE CARRIED OUT?=0ASome minimal funds to cover costs for organizing =
    and moderating of CAP=0Aworkshops is necessary. In some cases this was c=
    overed as a regular=0Aresponsibility of government technical officers, an=
    d no direct costs were=0Aincurred. The workshop itself is very low cost:=
    markers, some paper, with=0Acommunities providing tea, maybe snacks and =
    lunch, and the facilities. =0A=09Sometimes NGOs offer to do this, but th=
    eir costs would also need to be=0Acovered, albeit from other sources. =
    =0A=09If there are dynamic community members, they could carryout a CAP w=
    orkshop,=0Agiven the understanding of what it is.=0A=09In short, there is=
    =91no free lunch=92. Inexpensive perhaps, but somebody pays.=0A=0A=0AR.=
    Goethert=0A
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