Participatory Workshops

by Robert Chambers

This sourcebook is for all who work with others on participatory learning and change. Written in a spirit of critical reflection and serious fun, it provides 21 sets of ideas and options for facilitators, trainers, teachers and presenters, and anyone who organises and manages workshops, courses, classes and other events for sharing and learning ideas. It covers topics such as getting started, seating arrangements, forming groups, managing large numbers, helping each other learn, analysis and feedback, dealing with dominators, evaluation and ending, coping with horrors, and common mistakes.

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

About the author

There is more than one Robert Chambers in the Goodreads Library

Robert John Haylock Chambers (1932-) is a British academic and development practitioner. He spent his academic career at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. In 2013 he became an honorary fellow of the International Institute of Social Studies. He has been one of the leading advocates for putting the poor, destitute and marginalized at the center of the processes of development policy since the 1980s. In particular he argues they should be taken into account when the development problem is identified, policy formulated and projects implemented. He popularized within development circles such phrases as "putting the last first" and stressed the now generally accepted need for development professionals to be critically self-aware. The widespread acceptance of a "participatory" approach is in part due to his work. This includes participatory rural appraisal.

Robert Chambers and G.R. Conway provided the first elaborated definition of the concept of sustainable livelihoods which reads: "a livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets (stores, resources, claims and access) and activities required for a means of living: a livelihood is sustainable which can cope with and recover from stress and shocks, maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets, and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for the next generation; and which contributes net benefits too there livelihoods at the local and global levels and in the short and long term"

Reviews

[Lieke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource book to pick inspiration from for workshops. Re-reading for work and although it is outdated, I had forgotten how funny Robert Chambers’ writing is (even if it is slightly British dad-jokes sense of humor, still makes me smile and helps remember the point he’s making).

[Ryan Barretto · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that would be useful for anyone entering the field of learning and development. It would also be useful for those in community work i.e. social sector / NGO space.

There are the basics of how to form groups to more advanced techniques of debrief, analysis and learning. The tips and options under each method definitely provide food for thought.

I wish there was more details for some of the activities. They were difficult to visualize. Also, the last chapter was not required since it talked about how participants behave when they are there against their will.

There are books by other authors that go into great detail on a particular method eg. Open Space Technology or World Cafe.

[Ville Saarinen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Forcing a gimmick of having 21 topics with 21 tips each didn't help the book at all. Many of the tips weren't useful or not applicable, and filtering out the useful stuff was a lot of work. Would have been a lot better at 1/10 or 1/5 the size.

[Adam Dunne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Most of the techniques would be more appropriate for the girl guides then a workshop of intelligent peers out to collaboratively achieve a goal in a short space of time. Skimmed and dropped it. Gimmick.

[Tanja Korvenmaa]

A practical handbook for facilitators, many techniques & hints - i like the "messing up" -part ;-P

[Lera · Rating 4 out of 5]

not sure I'll ever read every page, but its a useful and positive book, particularly focused on international workshops so more relevant in our line of work than some alternatives.