Learning from others in the form of fusion and adaptation of existing tools and approaches is very much part of evolving new participatory methods, and is a key component of the process of creating fresh approaches to new challenges. Springs of Participation brings together the experiences and reflections of a group of practitioners of participatory methodologies, who work in diverse situations and countries, in order that both academics and practitioners can themselves learn how to develop effective and sustainable new methods. This book discusses a wide and rich range of participatory methods. The first part of the book focuses on Reflect and the Internal Learning System (ILS). Both have evolved considerably over a number of years. In the second part of the book, the authors reflect on what enables and constrains creativity, adaptation, and innovation, using examples of many different methodologies to illustrate their discussions. These reflections come from two broad perspectives: from innovators who have all worked principally as independent development consultants and advisors, and from researchers. These two common positions in the world of development and aid give rise to different challenges in creating and using participatory methodologies.

Prelims (Contents, About the Authors, Glossary of participatory methods and tools discussed in this book, List of acronyms, List of figures, tables and boxes)
1. Introduction
Karen Brock, Jethro Pettit
2. Seeds of success are seeds for potential failure: learning from the evolution of Reflect
David Archer
3. Training and facilitation: the propellers of participatory methodologies
Maria Nandago
4. Can an international NGO practise what it preaches in participation? The case of ActionAid International
Kate Newman
5. It’s not just about the pictures! It’s also about principles, process and power: tensions in the development of the Internal Learning System
Helzi Noponen
6. Steering the boat of life with the Internal Learning System: the oar of learning
D. Narendranath
7.Evolution of the Internal Learning System: a case study of the New Entity for Social Action
Sundaram Nagasundari
8. Road to the foot of the mountain, but reaching for the sun: PALS adventures and challenges
Linda Mayoux
9. Keeping the art of participation bubbling: some reflections on what stimulates creativity in using participatory methods
Dee Jupp
10. HIV and AIDS, the global tsunami: the role of Stepping Stones as one participatory approach to diminish its onslaught
Alice Welbourn
11. Using numerical data from participatory research to support the Millennium Development Goals: the case for locally owned information systems
Sarah Levy
12. Participatory village poverty reduction planning and index-based poverty mapping in China
Joe Remenyi
13. Navigating the trade-offs in the use of participatory approaches for research
Carlos Barahona, Dee Jupp, Helzi Noponen, Alice Welbourn
14. Creating, evolving and supporting participatory methodologies: lessons for funders and innovators
Robert Chambers
Back matter (Endnotes, References, Index)

Karen Brock Karen Brock is a social scientist, editor, and development consultant, and was formerly a researcher in the Participation Group at IDS, University of Sussex, UK. She specialises in issues of natural resources management, social science research methodologies, policy processes, and agropastoral livelihoods in Africa.|Jethro Pettit is a fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, UK. He has worked with international NGOs, including World Neighbors and Oxfam America.

Jethro Pettit Jethro Pettit is a fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, UK. He has worked with international NGOs, including World Neighbors and Oxfam America.