Research as intervention

impressions from Santiago Atitlan

Tags: Latin America, Central America & Mexico, Knowledge Management
Additional tags: Social movements

This week, key actors from 3 social movements in Central America have come together in Santiago Atitlan to reflect on the participative research process that they have been engaged in since last year. During the week, members of the civil society building knowledge team are blogging about their impressions. Here, Remko Berkhout, share his impressions of the first workshop day

The sun is setting over Lago Atitlan, as I am reflecting on the first day of the seminar.

Dialogues of knowledge is a research methodology that turns people who would traditionally be the objects of research into subjects. This week we are allowed to catch a glimpse of an ongoing participatory process of reflection and dialogue about their experiences. The questions under consideration refer to the evolution and impact of social movements and the role of outside actors in their development. The process is guided by gentle facilitation from ISS researchers but it is rooted in the participants’ culture, their context, their discourse, their perception of reality.

A case in point is the Nicaraguan Women’s movement. This movement is persisting in their fight for women’s rights in a tough environment, characterized by persecution, intimidation and political violence. This morning, the women present here shared their story, reflecting on their dialogues over the course of the last year. The findings that emerged were profound. Controversial, sensitive and painful issues were uncovered. The questions raised by the others participants, conveyed in a spirit of solidarity, provoked serious debate.

So what is happening here? This event and the process that precedes it offer spaces for the participants to reflect and share their experiences. This enables them to deepen the understanding of the dynamics that they themselves are a part of, to become more conscious of their own development. The impulses that this generates are already influencing their ways forward. It seems clear that is a revitalizing and inspiring experience for everyone involved. The knowledge process, probably much more than its anticipated products has thus becomes a valid development intervention in itself, directly contributing to difficult struggles of marginalized groups that HIVOS seeks to support.

It’s the end of this reflection and darkness has come. Clear skies allow one last view over the perfectly shaped volcanic cones around the lake. Is it just imagination, or are they too awaiting what tomorrow will bring?