Participatory Approaches For Development And Communication: Evaluation And Analysis

Discussion: Participatory Development Communication

 Communication is an interaction which occurred in a social context with the participation of individuals. Communication can also be considered as a process as these needs two ways to have its effectivity, sender and receiver. Communication not only includes meaningful words but also it involves gestures, body representation and moves (Fatimayin, 2018). In this paper the discussion will be focused on the evaluation of theoretical aspect of participatory approaches which are required for the development of the communication.

The structure and strategy of participatory communication helps to construct citizenship and also update various approaches related to it and development (Anderson Rios Incio et al., 2021). Participatory approaches to develop the communication is an important aspect which have its main principle to transform the economic, political and cultural structure of the society so that it can have an effective outcome of poverty and inequality by involving the communities for their development (Reeves, 2015). Participatory development communication which has different approaches associated with it encourage the frame work to develop and to achieve its aim. This framework and the application can be done with the help of proper communication processes where people can share their issues and can able to solve them through the approaches of communication (Reeves, 2015). There are some principles related with these approaches, which are,

Horizontal dialogue: Horizontal dialogue is the first approach of participatory development communication. This have two different components; one is dialogues and another is horizontal. Dialogue means an exchange between the two, which is also considered as a two-way communication. For developing communication this approaches needs to have practices like active listening and speaking skills (Reeves, 2015). Dialogue has to be meaningful and significant so that it can have sufficient outcome and feedback and also to develop new understanding. This participatory approaches in communication also have some power structure within it. As this approach requires to help the participants and provides opportunity to communicate with each other on an equal level irrespective of their background and social status. Different opinions and strong communication skill can disrupt the existing power structure with their voices. Thus, to disrupt the power structure the approaches need to be followed.

Local ownership: The second principle of participating approach of communication and development is local ownership. This represent the idea that the development of the society or social change and its process needs participants from the society and engaging activities of them is also required. This development and change are directly affiliated by the initiative of the participants. In this process participants need to have communication skills for the improvement of the process. Ownership emerges when there is responsibility and a sense of maintaining for providing solution for respective issues, which will eventually help other to “control over their lives and environment”. Thus, this can be suggested that local ownership refers to decision making process and leads to change through its effective practices and approaches (Reeves, 2015).

The developing good theory is related with the communication part which is also related with the participatory approaches and its development. From this theory the suggestion came up that communication theory is dynamic and it will develop and change its characteristics during the time. According to Littlejohn and Foss, there are number of criteria which helps us to evaluate the values of the theory so that one can get to know after evaluation that the theory is relevant and good (Saylor, u.n.). For this the mentioned criteria of Littlejohn and Foss are,

Developing good theory

Scope: This specifies the domain of the theory and the main aspect of it. The participatory approaches of communication and development cover the domain of this concept and establish the approaches and principles of it.

Parsimony: This refers to the basic terms of the theory which helps to explain the communicative situation. The participatory theory explains it situation and solve the complexity of it.

Heuristic value: This helps to identify some key points in other theorist should study about it to understand. For understanding participatory approaches, one needs to learn about the concept of communication for the better understanding (Saylor, u.n.).

Openness: This helps to open the mind and perspective so that one can built different opinion. The approach and the principle of participatory communication helps to open the thinking process and develop different perspective.

Appropriateness: Theories will be considered only when there is a research question and objective which can be solved by the theoretical approach. The aim of the theory of participatory development is to relate communication with development which is quite relevant and also helps to achieve its aim.

Validity: This point is helpful to develop the validity and the authenticity of the theory. The participatory approach of developmental theory helps to identify its importance in this society for its improvement and practicality, which validate and make this theory a good theory (Saylor, u.n.).

Thus, from the above-mentioned point this can be suggested that the according to the outline of the process of developing a good theory of Littlejohn and Foss, participatory approaches for development and communication can be considered as a good theory.

Participatory approaches of communication for development are philosophically based on social constructivist approach which seeks to understand the reality and each other by finding its subjective meaning and ways of development (Ako, 2017). Participation does not mean communicating a lot with each other. This means participation in a communication to share valuable feedback and meaningful words so that the communication has its effect in the society to change the social processes for its development and improvement (Saylor, u.n.). For the development of agriculture, the approach of communication can empower the farmer and can able to strengthen their voices for nation’s goal to make them self-sufficient. This participatory communication can be considered as a small initiate to change the lives of the farmers and to bring social change by helping them to raise their voices (Aminah, 2016). Participation in any communication have approaches and practices as this needs to be useful for the society and for others. It is a two-way process on which both individual share feedback and information. The dialogues of the communication should help the society for its improvement which have an effective nature to eliminate the factors of social injustice and power structure through the voice. To evaluate any issue and to solve it efficiently this approach is important as this strategy significantly improve the development process (Ruler, 2018). This also evaluates and analyze the activities as time cross. Good listeners and speakers with good skills have the ability to achieve the development through participating in any quality and relevant communication. Open discussion and communication are helpful and can provide opportunities to the individuals. Good participatory approaches aims for empowering the marginalized groups and for their development (Chepnegetich, 2015).

Conclusion

However, from the above discussion this can be suggested that communication is big part in every individual’s life and in this society for its development and improvement. Participation and the approaches of it is also a determinant factor for the development of this aspect which will eventually help the society to bring a change.  The evaluation and analysis of participatory approaches of communication theory is guided by the outline of the processes of how to develop a good theory which was consulted by the theorist Littlejohn and Foss. This helps to identify and to determine a theory its effectivity and practical application in the society which will eventually help the social factors to apply the theoretical knowledge for the improvement.

References:

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Anderson Rios Incio, F., Reynosa Navarro, E., Gissela Rivera Arellano, E. and Vela Meléndez, L., 2021. Participatory communication as a key strategy in the construction of citizenship. [online] Available at: <https://lingcure.org/index.php/journal/article/view/1473> [Accessed 9 April 2022].

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Reeves, L., 2015. Visualizing Participatory Development Communication in Social Change Processes: Challenging the Notion that Visual Research Methods are Inherently Participatory. [online] Available at: <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307535734_Visualizing_Participatory_Development_Communication_in_Social_Change_Processes_Challenging_the_Notion_that_Visual_Research_Methods_are_Inherently_Participatory> [Accessed 9 April 2022].

saylor, 2022. Communication Theory. [online] Available at: <https://resources.saylor.org/wwwresources/archived/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/COMM001_Wikibooks_-Survey-of-Communication-Study_Chapter-5_5.11.2012.pdf> [Accessed 9 April 2022].

Van Ruler, B., 2018. Communication Theory: An Underrated Pillar on Which Strategic Communication Rests. [online] Taylor & Francis. Available at: <https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1553118X.2018.1452240> [Accessed 9 April 2022].