Participation in influencing one’s life is a natural human phenomenon; we all want to shape our life and make our choices as per our dreams and aspirations. Yet, for many millions around the world, the imagination to dream and opportunity to influence their choices continue to remain a mirage. Structural inequalities, systemic obstacles and forces of exclusion create obstacles to meaningful and authentic participation for many. It is in early 1980s that practices of participatory development, initially by workers’ organisations, community associations and voluntary initiatives, began to gain some momentum. By 1990s, participation had entered the official development programming, and many invited spaces for participation of the poor and the marginalised were being designed and implemented. It soon became clear that participation must engage policy-making and governance, if development programming had to become participatory in an authentic manner. Linking participation with citizenship further created spaces for claiming rights and creating spaces for learning active citizenship. Special attention has also been focused on girls and women, Scheduled Caste and minorities, indigenous and tribal communities. As Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA) completed its 40 years, it recommits to strengthen citizen participation in development and governance. PRIA in collaboration with PRAXIS and Participedia co-organised a virtual Samvad – Conversation on “Trajectories of Participation: From Development to Governance” on 12 October, 2021. The Conversation delved into the following key questions:
Click here for the webinar recording