The psychology of participation in development work. Behaviour related to participation within the African context. In: People's participation in development in Black Africa
Ssenkoloto, G.M.
Cahiers de l' IPD, Institut Panafricain pour le Developpement, Cameroun, V Collection compte rendu de Seminaire 9: 105-124
1984
Document Number: 525652
After citing a series of development fields where participation is encouraged by different governments and private bodies at the national and international level, the paper discusses the reactions of an inter-disciplinary group of development experts and shows that encouraging participation is one of the skills and technical abilities recognized as essential for bringing about real development in Africa. Three essential dimensions of participation are isolated on the basis of the following questions: why, when and how do people participate? These three dimensions are linked and closely correlated; the behavioural variables apply in particular to the question 'how'. In conclusion, the key to a satisfying and realistic participation in development lies in mutual relations which are real, constructive, significant and based on certain professional principles. This can be brought about by training and an appropriate modification of behaviour. An attempt is made to analyse the relations between behaviour and participation on the basis of the author's observations and experience.